The Head of Legal will serve as the primary legal advisor to the University, ensuring that the institution complies with all relevant laws and regulations in its home country and international operations. This role involves providing legal guidance on a wide range of issues including contracts, intellectual property, employment law, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and governance.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory:

• Provide expert legal advice and support to the University’s senior management, faculty, and staff on a wide range of legal issues.
• Advise on the interpretation of applicable local, national, and international laws that impact the University's activities and operations.
• Offer strategic legal advice on the development of new academic programs, collaborations, partnerships, and international expansion.

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including academic partnerships, research agreements, faculty and staff contracts, sponsorship agreements, and vendor contracts.
• Ensure that the University’s contracts align with legal requirements, policies, and institutional objectives.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Oversee the institution’s compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including data protection laws (e.g., GDPR), accreditation requirements, and immigration laws for international students and staff.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks facing the University and develop strategies for mitigating those risks.

Dispute Resolution:

• Represent the University in legal disputes and negotiations, including litigation and arbitration, when necessary.
• Manage external legal counsel and ensure that legal disputes are handled effectively and efficiently.

Governance and Policy Development:

• Advise on matters of governance, university policies, and procedures to ensure legal compliance and risk mitigation.
• Work closely with the Board of Governors, senior leadership, and other departments to ensure that institutional policies reflect the evolving legal landscape.

Intellectual Property and Research:

• Provide guidance on intellectual property (IP) matters, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements, particularly in relation to research and academic work.
• Develop and maintain policies regarding IP protection and commercialization of academic innovations.

International Legal Matters:

• Navigate the complexities of international law, including cross-border regulations, visa and immigration laws for international staff and students, and the legal aspects of international partnerships and collaborations.
• Coordinate legal compliance across the University’s campuses in various countries.

Training and Development:

• Provide legal training and awareness sessions to faculty, staff, and administrators on relevant legal topics, such as intellectual property rights, ethics, and compliance matters.

Qualifications:

• Education: A law degree (Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent), preferably with a specialization in higher education law, international law, or corporate law.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in legal practice, with a significant portion spent in higher education or a related field.
• Proven track record of handling complex legal issues in an international or multi-jurisdictional context.
• Experience in managing legal teams and collaborating across departments in a university setting.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to understand both legal nuances and the University's broader institutional goals.
• Strong leadership and management capabilities, with the ability to mentor and guide junior legal staff.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with excellent judgment and decision-making skills.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of international laws and regulations governing education, data protection, immigration, intellectual property, and

employment law.

• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and dynamic environment.

Languages: Fluency in Arabic and English (required), with proficiency in additional languages being a plus.