Corporate Legal Counsel

Company Description

For 170 years, Veolia has been a global leader in providing water, energy, and waste management solutions. Serving public authorities and industries across 58 countries, our comprehensive services are essential to human development and sustainable growth. As we progress alongside economic growth and human development, we continuously adapt and innovate, designing solutions that positively impact the environment and conserve resources.

Veolia focuses on local solutions to purify and preserve vital resources, mitigate resource depletion, decarbonize lifestyles and production methods, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Our mission is to build a better 21st century, and we proudly identify as #resourcers.

Key figures of Veolia Near and Middle East

• Over 3,900 employees in the Middle East (in addition to the nearly 6,000 employees for Enova, which reports directly to Veolia Africa Middle-East for Facility Management and Energy Efficiency contracts in the region)
• A robust local network across the region, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia
• 40 years of sustainable partnerships

In the Middle East, Veolia collaborates with industries, governments, communities, and commercial businesses to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions needed today, while maintaining a vision for tomorrow. Through public-private partnerships and innovative contractual schemes, Veolia is dedicated to achieving measurable results with pragmatic, sustainable environmental solutions.

For more information, please visit our Website

Context

Veolia Near & Middle East HQ provides business support and expertise to its various local entities and ensures that the Veolia Group strategy, policies, processes and tools are implemented appropriately and in a timely manner as well as customized to our local needs.

The legal department plays a critical role in supporting development of new projects, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, mitigating risks, and protecting the company's interests. They provide guidance on various legal matters, including the incorporation of joint venture companies, corporate governance, contracts,, and regulatory compliance. They  collaborate with other departments to apply policies and procedures that align with legal requirements while supporting the company's objectives.

Job Description

Main Accountabilities

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Corporate Legal Counsel will provide  legal corporate support and serve as a key advisor to the board of directors and senior management, overseeing legal and regulatory compliance, corporate governance practices and company administration. The Corporate Legal Counsel’s objectives are that  the company complies with legal and statutory requirements, internal policies and procedures, external regulations and laws, corporate governance and filings requirements in respect of the regional portfolio of the Veolia group companies. 

The Corporate Legal Counsel is part of the VNME legal team and the project's lawyers work collaboratively with the Company Secretary. 

Detailed Job Description

The below responsibilities vary depending on whether the regional companies are controlled by Veolia or whether Veolia is only a minority shareholder:

• Prepare and distribute notices, agendas and supporting materials for board and committee meetings.
• Attend board meetings, record minutes.
• Assist in the preparation and filing of statutory documents with regulatory authorities.
• Provide guidance and support to directors and senior management on corporate governance matters.
• Review draft minutes of meetings and resolutions when prepared by co-shareholders
• Communicate with external advisors, legal counsel and auditors on corporate governance and compliance issues.
• Keep the group corporate database updated
• Stay updated on changes to corporate law, regulations and governance practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law, , or related field; legal qualification preferred but not required
• 5-7 years of progressive experience as a company secretary or corporate legal counsel in-house or in private practice
• Excellent ARABIC & English proficiency (written and verbal), ideally native Arabic speaker
• Expertise in corporate law
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex legal matters with minimal supervision
• Solid understanding of Middle East corporate and regulatory environment
• Experience in working with legal advisors and working in fast-paced environments

Additional Information

Personal Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to interact effectively with senior stakeholders in both Arabic and English
• Strong collaborative approach while maintaining ability to work independently
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
• Proactive and results-oriented with strong sense of accountability
• Adaptability and continuous learning mindset in dynamic environment
• Cultural awareness and ability to bridge communication between international and local teams

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete or exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that will be carried out by the selected candidate.

Veolia Middle East does not and shall not discriminate in any forms in its recruitment processes.