LEGAL COUNSEL, CONTRACTS

Job Purpose

The Legal Counsel – EPC & Project Development will provide day-to-day legal support to Alfanar's 
EPC and project development businesses, working under the guidance of the Senior Legal Counsel and 
the General Counsel. The role focuses on renewable energy, power, water and infrastructure projects in 
Saudi Arabia and international market

Key Accountability Areas

1. Tendering, EPC Contracts and Construction Legal Support

(a) Lead legal support for EPC and development tenders, including RFPs, contract reviews, qualifications, deviations, clarifications, risk registers and bid approvals. 

(b) Draft, review and negotiate EPC, EP, construction, turnkey, supply and O&M contracts for power, water, renewable energy, transmission, distribution and industrial projects using FIDIC and bespoke forms.

(c) Advise on risk allocation, guarantees, liquidated damages, liability, indemnities, warranties, insurance, suspension and termination.

(d) Negotiate subcontracts, supply, consortium, JV and teaming agreements, ensuring alignment with main contracts. 

e) Support contract administration, including notices, variations, EOT, delays, payments, commissioning, close-out and remedies.

(f) Review bonds and parent company guarantees, including calls and defences.

(g) Advise on contractual risk mitigation and commercial negotiations.

2. Project Development and Investment Transactions

(a) Support development and investment in renewable energy, power, water and infrastructure from origination to financial close.

(b) Draft and negotiate joint development, JV, shareholders', consortium, cooperation and MoU agreements. 

c) Advise on PPAs, water purchase, implementation, concession, land, lease, grid connection and government support agreements.

(d) Support PPP, IPP and IWP bids and align project agreements with EPC and O&M contracts.

(e) Assist with project structuring, acquisitions, divestments, due diligence and corporate transactions. (f) Identify legal risks and prepare investment committee inputs.

3. Project Finance and Financing Documentation

(a) Support project financing and negotiate financing and security documents with finance teams and external counsel.

 (b) Review loan and direct agreements, equity contributions, sponsor support, guarantees and security packages.

(c) Support lender due diligence and fulfilment of conditions precedent.

(d) Advise on bankability and alignment of project, EPC and financing agreements.

4. Claims Management and Dispute Resolution

(a) Advise on construction claims, contractual disputes, arbitration and litigation.

(b) Support notices and EOT, variation, delay, disruption and other claims.

(c) Assess claims, counterclaims and exposure; recommend commercial resolutions.

(d) Lead negotiations, settlements and dispute avoidance.

(e) Coordinate external counsel, technical and quantum experts, and claims consultants.

(f) Enforce contractual rights and recover outstanding payments.

5. Corporate, Regulatory and Compliance

(a) Advise on Saudi and international laws covering procurement, local content, Saudization, contractor classification, licensing and foreign investment.

(b) Support corporate structuring, JVs, project companies and branches.

(c) Prepare corporate approvals, board resolutions, powers of attorney and related documents.

 (d) Support anti-bribery, sanctions and export control compliance.

(e) Identify regulatory risks and advise on mitigation.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in law (LLB or equivalent) from a recognised university.
• A master's degree in law (LLM) or additional qualifications in construction law, international 
commercial law or project finance will be an advantage.
• Professional qualification and admission to practise law in a recognised jurisdiction are 
preferred.
Minimum Experience
• 5 to 8 years of relevant post-qualification experience with a law firm or as in-house counsel 
within an EPC, construction, energy or infrastructure organisation.
• Hands-on experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction, subcontract and supply 
agreements, including FIDIC-based forms.
• Working knowledge of EPC contract administration, including notices, variations, extensions 
of time and payment.
• Exposure to construction claims or disputes, and to project development or project finance 
documentation, will be an advantage.
• Experience of the Saudi legal and regulatory environment, including the Civil Transactions 
Law, is strongly preferred.
Critical Skills
• Clear and accurate drafting, with strong attention to detail.
• Sound understanding of construction contracting principles and project risk allocation.
• Ability to manage several assignments at once and meet bid and project deadlines.
• Good judgment on when to resolve an issue independently and when to escalate.
• Ability to explain legal points clearly to project and commercial teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in Arabic is a strong 
advantage.

Academic Qualification

Work Experience

Technical / Functional Competencies