Job Purpose
JOB DESCRIPTION
As part of its mission to be a global trade enabler, DP World seeks to offer a Trade Finance product to BCOs (Importers/Exporters) and transporters to ease their working capital crunch. DP World aims to help SMEs by making financing options available to reduce this working capital crunch.
To this end, DP World established a company within the DIFC, called DP World Financial Services Limited (
DPWFS), regulated by the DFSA, and is engaged in arranging and providing financing solutions primarily for SMEs from partnering Financial Institutions. In addition, DPWFS has obtained its license to Provide Credit wherein the company will provide trade finance loans to exporters, importers and logistics companies from its own balance sheet. For these purposes, DPWFS is looking for a Legal Officer to join DPWFS Legal team.
The role will be reporting to the Legal Director of DPWFS. The main purpose of the role is to support the Legal Director in managing all legal aspects of the business, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts. The incumbent's scope of responsibilities will cover activities related to DPWFS as well as the wider trade finance initiatives of DP World globally.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide legal support and advice to the DP World's trade finance business in respect of trade finance, logistics finance, inventory finance and trade service matters.
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating trade financial documentation for a broad range of trade related transactions, including bilateral and syndicated trade related transactions, accounts receivables & payables.
- Financing, import/export financing, draft discounting, and risk participation (funded & unfunded), commodities finance and trade service transactions.
- Providing legal support to DP World's global trade finance business and new initiatives across various regions, including but not limited to support in setting up companies, understanding and communicating legal landscape where DP World Finance will be marketed, anticipating and mitigating risks, handling communications with law firms and advisors, etc.
- Ensuring compliance with DP World's internal policies, guidelines and procedures.
- Reporting and escalating matters on an ongoing and regular basis to the Legal Director; working closely and sharing knowledge with other members of the business and legal team.
- Liaising with colleagues in other departments (front office, operations, risk, credit, compliance) based in any region, i.e., the DP World's head office and other locations.
- Assisting the relevant transactions/cases to ensure legal support and innovative solutions are provided in line with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct legal research and gather related legal information.
- Assemble, proofread and amend drafts of contracts, leases, licenses, policies and other legal documents.
- Monitor, study and develop written summaries of anticipated and endorsed legislation, regulations, court decisions, industry standards, trade journals and other relevant publications.
- Daily record keeping with electronic and physical filing of documents.
- Synthesize and organize information and create reference tools for easy use by the team.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal business teams seeking legal and regulatory support.
- Maintain and update databases and tracking systems. All-purpose administrative duties within the Legal department.
- Execute at speed while maintaining error free operations.
- Act as an ambassador for DP World at all times when working; promoting and demonstrating positive behaviours in harmony with DP World's Principles, values and culture; ensuring the highest level of safety is applied in all activities; understanding and following DP World's Code of Conduct and Ethics policies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Experience And Skills
- Bachelor's degree in law from a reputable University. Admission to a bar association would be a plus.
- Between 2 to 5 years of combined legal counsel experience at major international law firms, banks, financial institutions, multinational companies, FinTechs and/or in a Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
- Knowledge of legal banking and finance, trade and commodity finance and trade services.
- Experience in cross-border matters and legal operations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Experience with financial services legal documentation.
- In-depth knowledge of financial services laws & regulations (including AML/ CTF) within the DIFC.
- The candidate must be extremely hands-on with strong attention to detail.
- Excellent English written and verbal communication skills; strong analytical, problem solving and organization skills.
- Solid drafting and negotiation skills.
- Adaptability and pragmatism; ability to manage an active caseload and prioritise effectively.
- Self-driven, results-oriented with a proven track record in legal & compliance matters.
- The right candidate will be able to work under pressure, deal with high volumes of work and be highly dynamic and agile in a fast-growing trade finance business.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal- DP World Financial Services Ltd staff, DP World Group IT, Legal, Compliance, Risk, Audit, Treasury and all DP World Group departments, Regions, sales teams and business as required.
External- External Law Firms & consultants. Financial institutions and other related service provider. Local and international corporate clients and business associations.
