Our Bank is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support the Head of Legal in managing the bank’s legal affairs. The role provides legal consultation across the Bank, helps ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, oversees legal matters relating to banking operations, contracts, disputes, and governance.Represent and defend the Bank’s legal interests before courts, regulatory authorities, and other relevant parties, as authorized. Proactively identify, assess, and advise on potential legal, regulatory, contractual, and reputational risks that may affect the Bank. Maintain continuous vigilance over matters that could expose the Bank to legal claims, financial losses, regulatory sanctions, or reputational damage, and recommend timely preventive and corrective measures to safeguard the Bank’s interests, rights, and reputation.
Key responsibilities
- Support the Head of Legal in managing the Legal Department’s day-to-day activities and priorities.
- Provide clear, practical legal consultation to management and business units on banking operations, products, services and any other queries related to the bank.
- Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents.
- Monitor changes in applicable laws, regulations, and instructions issued by the Central Bank of Iraq and other relevant authorities, and advise on their impact on the Bank.
- Support the Bank’s compliance with regulatory requirements and respond to legal and regulatory inquiries.
- Manage or coordinate litigation, claims, disputes, and relationships with external legal counsel.
- Advise on corporate governance matters, including board and committee documentation and decisions.
- Identify legal risks and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate them.
- Support the development and review of internal policies, procedures, and legal templates.
- Lead, guide, and develop legal team members, and act for the Head of Legal when required.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of legal opinions, contracts, disputes, and regulatory matters.
Qualifications and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Law; a postgraduate qualification in law
- Admission to practice law in Iraq.
- At least 10 years of relevant legal experience, preferably including experience in a bank or financial institution.
- Fluency in Arabic and English.
- High standards of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
- Demonstrated experience in banking law, commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory matters, and dispute management.
- Experience supervising or mentoring legal professionals is preferred.
- Strong legal research, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-legal colleagues.
