SCOPE OF ROLE:

To be primary contact for and handle all Legal matters for Private Banking (including cross-border banking work involving customers / transactions throughout the Middle-East and India) as well as assist in country legal matters in the UAE.
To assist senior management to ensure that the PvB business and country support functions in Dubai, and cross-border relationships involving the Middle-East and India operate in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements and all Group standards of conduct, so as to protect and enhance the reputation of the Bank with its regulators and avoid significant financial loss.
To promote, lead and manage the culture and practice of Legal risk management within the letter and spirit of legal and regulatory requirements of the UAE and home countries of customers whose transactions are booked in the UAE and ethical standards in the conduct of business, and to oversee compliance with those requirements and standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/CHALLENGES:

To provide legal advice (including regulatory advice) to Group, Wholesale Banking, Private Banking, Consumer Banking and functions in relation to business booked in or advised from UAE (primarily customers located in the Middle-East and India.
To determine and anticipate changes to laws and regulations applicable to Private Banking, Consumer Banking and functions in Dubai and home countries of customers booked in Dubai, and, supported by the country Heads of Compliance and teams, implement requirements in documentation, policies and procedures.
To provide legal advice and documentation and training materials as needed for PvB and CB and to a lesser extent for Group, WB and country support functions in countries whose customers are booked in the UAE.
To assist WB, PvB and CB Legal and Compliance based in Singapore and Group Legal Department and Group Compliance based in London, in formulating policies, procedures and documentation with global application.
To act as primary liaison to outside counsel for legal matters relating to business booked in UAE.
To participate in global initiatives which reflect the Banks regulatory focus areas, e.g. TCF.
To provide specialist advice on local regulatory requirements.
To monitor regulatory developments in UAE and countries in the region where customers booked in Dubai are located and, together with other MENA L&C team members, identify the potential impact on the region, and input to responses to consultation papers issued by regulators.
To control the quality and cost of legal and consultancy service providers.
Protect attorney-client privilege by channeling the communication flow accordingly.
To be the subject-matter expert for laws and regulations in ME.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Educational background to degree level.
Qualification to practice law in England, Australia, USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, India or a relevant MENA jurisdiction a positive.
Post qualification experience at any of the following: UK, Australian, US, English, Singapore, Hong Kong or Indian law firm, UK, Australian, US, English, Singapore, Hong Kong or Indian financial institution, UK, Australian, US, Singapore or Hong Kong  regulator with proven track record in advising on applicable law and regulation covering retail banking/private banking/wealth management as well as general legal and commercial work in relation to banking (including, litigation).
Financial markets, product development and fund management and funds, will also be considered helpful.
Fully committed to delivering and highly commercial. Strong analytical and innovative legal skills. Strong responsibility and organisation skills.
Strong drafting skills.  Excellent negotiation and communication skills  written and verbal including presentation skills. Strong learner, intellect and relator.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to complete tasks in timely manner. Self-motivated and self-reliant with genuine desire to get things done and to do it right, as well as the ability to provide practical and effective advice.
Inclusive style and good listening skills are required. Being able to accept challenge, listen to the other point of view and adapt your approach accordingly is essential.
Good judgement. Excellent collaborative and team playing skills. 
Diplomacy, empathy and a can-do attitude. Politeness, sensitivity and the ability to gently, but professionally stand your ground when needed.
An inquisitive approach to practices, procedures and specific transactions. Personal authority and integrity. Independence, creativity, resourcefulness and resilience.
Sound working knowledge of MS Office suite particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Laws and regulations must be interpreted and applied constructively so as to facilitate business but not so as to materially weaken the position of the Bank.
Many issues which arise in the course of the construction of laws and regulation involve aspects of credit, market, regulatory or operational risk.
The job holder must be able to understand the nature of these risks.
The job holder must be able to adapt his/her approach to a range of legal and regulatory systems that may differ considerably from the system he/she was trained in.