Legal Risk Advisor

Role Overview

The Legal Risk Advisor is tasked with strengthening the bank’s legal risk controls by ensuring the related processes are effective, well-governed, and aligned with applicable laws and regulations. This position focuses on identifying legal implications in current and potential contractual commitments, taking a proactive approach to preventing issues, and delivering reliable legal guidance to the Credit Risk function.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Help shape the Legal Risk unit’s strategy, annual plan, policies, and procedures, and ensure these are delivered on time in support of wider business goals.
• Keep initiatives aligned with approved budgets and timelines, and support the Department Head - Credit Risk with timely, accurate progress updates for the Chief Risk Officer when needed.
• Stay current on regulatory updates issued by the Qatar Central Bank and other authorities, and recommend necessary adjustments to people, processes, and deliverables within the section.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support operational, functional, and strategic requirements.

Operational Responsibilities

• Carry out all assigned activities in line with local and foreign regulations, Doha Bank policies, and approved credit risk evaluation procedures.
• Manage legal risk exposure arising from transaction-level credit matters.
• Take part in reviewing and reassessing standard contract documents for syndication, corporate and retail lending, and investment management arrangements.
• Ensure the legal processes within the Credit Risk Section are efficient and effective in reducing exposure to legal problems.
• Review customer agreements whenever credit terms, conditions, or limits change, flagging possible legal risks and coordinating with the Legal Advisor as required.
• Identify significant legal issues in existing or proposed contracts and act promptly to reduce risk and protect the bank’s interests.
• Confirm that the Credit Sections and Risk Management Department have met all documentary requirements before any transaction proceeds.
• Conclude service level agreements with internal departments to improve turnaround time for legal risk reviews, including opinions on new or renewed contracts and changes in law or regulation.
• Work with the team to prepare standard document formats and templates for credit transactions.
• Coordinate civil and criminal actions against defaulting borrowers and handle related court processes through the Legal Function when needed.
• Maintain a structured database of legal documentation used by Risk Management.
• Protect sensitive commercial information by maintaining strict confidentiality standards.
• Provide accurate and timely information to internal and external auditors, as well as the Compliance function, whenever requested.

People Management Responsibilities

• Supervise direct reports in their daily work and support performance management through feedback and coaching.
• Advise the Department Head on recruitment and promotion decisions.
• Assist the recruitment team in shortlisting candidates for the unit based on the role requirements.
• Assign work responsibilities and support the team in delivering day-to-day operations effectively.
• Give timely, constructive feedback to help improve employee performance.
• Support employees in setting career goals that align with departmental and organizational priorities.
• Assess learning needs, and provide suitable training and coaching where required.
• Conduct performance reviews and annual appraisal exercises for unit employees.
• Partner with the Department Head and HR Operations to implement corrective action or disciplinary measures for policy, procedure, or performance non-compliance.

Education

• A university degree in Law or another relevant discipline is required.
• A Master’s degree in Law will be considered an advantage.

Experience

• 8 to 12 years of total professional experience in financial services or banking, with responsibilities related to the same discipline.
• Experience in bank risk management and legal risk analysis within the banking sector is required.