JOB PURPOSE

The Specialist Legal Oversight is responsible for supporting the development, interpretation, and implementation of Dubai Media Council's regulatory framework governing the media and gaming sectors. The role holder conducts legal research, prepares draft legislation, regulatory instruments, legal opinions, and governance documents, while providing legal support across licensing, permits, content regulation, compliance, enforcement, and media governance activities. The Specialist Legal Oversight contributes to the continuous enhancement of Dubai's regulatory environment by supporting legislative development, regulatory interpretation, legal risk assessments, and cross-functional regulatory initiatives.

The role serves as a technical legal specialist, supporting regulatory interpretation and legal drafting to strengthen Dubai’s media governance framework. 

The role holder is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills and carry out his/her duties in accordance with the relevant business policies and procedures.

No.

Key Focus Area

                                                    Key Accountabilities

1.   

General Responsibilities

·      Implement the operational requirements for Legal Oversight, in line with the overall Legal Oversight and Media Oversight strategy, vision and goals.

·      Work collaboratively with the Legal Oversight team and wider Media Oversight department to ensure smooth and on-time delivery of services to stakeholders

·      Provide metrics and supporting documents to the Head of Legal Oversight, to support with the monthly KPI reports

2.   

Regulatory Research and Legal Drafting

·      Conduct legal research into UAE legislation, media regulations, administrative law, and international regulatory practices to support the development and enhancement of Dubai's media regulatory framework.

·      Prepare draft legislation, executive regulations, regulatory instruments, legal notices, and supporting documentation to assist with the implementation of regulatory initiatives.

·      Review proposed regulatory amendments and operational procedures, identifying legal considerations and drafting recommendations for further review.

·      Prepare legal briefing notes, comparative studies, and research papers to support regulatory development and legislative decision-making.

·      Monitor changes to legislation, judicial decisions, and international regulatory developments, highlighting potential implications for Dubai's media sector.

3.   

Regulatory Interpretation and Legal Analysis

·      Conduct legal analysis of licensing, permits, content regulation, compliance, and enforcement matters to support consistent application of regulatory requirements.

·      Prepare draft legal opinions and regulatory interpretations for review by senior legal staff, enabling informed operational and regulatory decisions.

·      Analyze legal implications arising from emerging technologies, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, gaming, and evolving media business models.

·      Support internal stakeholders by researching regulatory requirements and providing legal clarification on operational matters.

·      Identify potential legal risks associated with regulatory activities and escalate significant matters requiring specialist legal review.

4.   

Legal Support for Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement

·      Support Compliance, Media Oversight, Licensing, and Content Review teams by providing legal research and analysis relating to investigations, inspections, enforcement actions, and regulatory decisions.

·      Review supporting documentation, evidence, and case files to ensure proposed enforcement actions are supported by applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

·      Assist in the preparation of legal documentation relating to administrative penalties, appeals, enforcement notices, and regulatory correspondence.

·      Research legal precedents and comparable regulatory cases to support consistent enforcement decisions across the media sector.

·      Contribute to the legal review of compliance frameworks, enforcement procedures, and regulatory guidance, promoting consistency and legal robustness.

5.   

Regulatory Governance and Legislative Development

·      Support the development of regulatory policies, governance frameworks, and implementation guidelines by providing legal analysis and drafting assistance.

·      Conduct benchmarking exercises against international media regulatory frameworks to identify legislative improvements and emerging best practices.

·      Review governance documentation to ensure consistency with UAE legislation and approved regulatory frameworks.

·      Assist with cross-functional regulatory projects by providing legal input during the development of new policies and initiatives.

·      Maintain legal reference materials, legislative records, and regulatory documentation to support effective governance and knowledge management.

6.   

Legal Knowledge Management and Stakeholder Support

·      Develop legal guidance notes, research summaries, and explanatory materials that support consistent interpretation of regulatory requirements across DMC.

·      Coordinate with internal departments to provide legal research, regulatory information, and legislative support for operational activities.

·      Support consultations with government entities and regulatory authorities by preparing legal documentation and research materials.

·      Maintain legal databases, precedent libraries, and regulatory reference resources to improve knowledge sharing and legal consistency.

·      Identify opportunities to improve legal processes, research methodologies, and regulatory documentation, contributing to continuous improvement within the Legal Oversight function.

Job Specifications

Key Interactions & Nature of Interaction

Internal:

·         Collaborate with Directors, Heads, and business units across DMC by conducting legal research and preparing regulatory advice relating to licensing, permits, compliance, content review, enforcement, governance, and policy development.

·         Work closely with the Senior Specialist Legal Oversight and Head of Legal Oversight to prepare legal opinions, legislative reviews, regulatory instruments, and legal briefing materials.

·         Support the Media Governance function by providing legal analysis during the development and review of strategies, policies, and regulatory frameworks.

·         Partner with Licensing, Permits, Content Review, Compliance, and Media Oversight teams to provide legal research and clarification supporting operational and regulatory activities.

·         Assist internal stakeholders by preparing legal documentation, legislative comparisons, and regulatory guidance that supports consistent decision-making.

External:

·         Liaise with government authorities, regulatory agencies, and public sector entities to obtain legislative information, regulatory updates, and supporting legal documentation.

·         Support engagement with regulated media organizations, publishers, broadcasters, gaming companies, digital platforms, and other stakeholders by preparing legal information and regulatory guidance where required.

·         Assist with consultations, working groups, and collaborative initiatives involving government entities and regulatory bodies on media legislation and emerging regulatory matters.

·         Conduct legal research using information published by national and international regulatory authorities to support benchmarking and legislative development activities.

Technical Skills

·         Advanced: Legal research and statutory interpretation.

·         Advanced: Regulatory legal drafting and legislative analysis.

·         Advanced: UAE administrative law and regulatory frameworks.

·         Proficient: Media regulation, digital governance, and intellectual property principles.

·         Proficient: Legal risk identification and regulatory analysis.

·         Proficient: Preparation of legal memoranda, briefing papers, and regulatory guidance.

·         Proficient: Command of written and spoken Arabic and English

Behavioural Competencies

·         Evoking and Disseminating Positive Energy – Proficient

·         Community Focus and Responsiveness to its Needs – Proficient

·         Time Management and Task Prioritization – Proficient

·         Excellence in Execution – Proficient

·         Continuous Learning and Improvement – Proficient

Experience Required

Functional Experience

·      Minimum 5 years of experience in regulatory law, administrative law, public law, media law, government legal advisory, or a related legal environment.

·      Experience conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, drafting legislation, regulations, or governance documentation.

·      Experience supporting regulatory compliance, enforcement, licensing, or public sector governance activities.

·      Experience working within government entities, regulators, or highly regulated industries is preferred.

·      Experience researching international regulatory frameworks and legislative best practices is advantageous.

Leadership/Supervisory

·      NA

Education and Qualification Required

·      Bachelor's degree in Law.

·      Master's degree in Law, Administrative Law, Public Law, Media Law, or a related discipline is advantageous.

·      Professional certification in Regulatory Law, Legislative Drafting, Media Law, Governance, or Intellectual Property is advantageous.

·      Admission to practice law in the UAE or another recognized jurisdiction is advantageous.