Legal & Compliance Manager - (Oman)

Purpose/ Mission:

The Legal and Compliance Manager will serve as the lead legal architect for Meranti Green Steel’s operations in Oman, overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across the full project lifecycle.

This role is critical in establishing and managing the legal and governance framework from pre-FID through construction, commissioning, and full operations, ensuring alignment with Omani laws, international best practices, and ESG standards.

The position requires a hands-on leader capable of building legal and compliance structures from the ground up while supporting strategic decision-making and enabling efficient project execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-FID Phase (Project Structuring & Legal Strategy)

• Develop and implement the overall legal strategy for project development in Oman
• Advise on optimal investment structures (JV, SPV, shareholder arrangements)
• Lead legal workstreams for:
• Joint Venture (JV) formation
• Shareholders’ Agreements
• Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Heads of Agreement (HoA)
• Provide legal input into feasibility studies and FID decision-making
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive legal risk register
• Advise on:
• Oman Foreign Capital Investment Law
• Land rights, usufruct agreements, and industrial zoning
• Licensing and regulatory approvals

Project Development & Construction Phase

• Lead drafting, review, and negotiation of:
• EPC / EPCM contracts
• Technology licensing agreements
• Supply and offtake agreements (steel, hydrogen, energy)
• Support project financing activities:
• Loan agreements
• Security documentation
• Lender due diligence

Manage permitting processes:

• Environmental approvals (EIA)
• Industrial and operational licenses
• Handle contractual claims, variations, and dispute avoidance/resolution

Compliance & Corporate Governance

• Design and implement a robust compliance framework aligned with:
• Omani laws and regulations
• International compliance standards
• Develop and enforce:
• Code of Conduct
• Anti-bribery and corruption policies (UK Bribery Act, FCPA)
• Sanctions compliance framework
• Establish internal controls and governance structures:
• Delegation of Authority (DoA)
• Board governance and reporting processes
• Oversee compliance audits and regulatory inspections

ESG, Energy & Regulatory Advisory

• Advise on evolving regulations related to:
• Green steel production
• Hydrogen and renewable energy
• Carbon regulations (including CBAM and carbon markets)
• Ensure compliance with:
• Environmental laws and emissions standards
• Sustainability reporting requirements
• Support certification and verification processes for green products

Operational Phase (Post-Commissioning)

• Provide ongoing legal support for:
• Commercial contracts (sales, logistics, distribution)
• Procurement and supplier agreements
• Ensure compliance with:
• Labor and employment laws in Oman
• Ongoing regulatory obligations and filings
• Manage disputes, arbitration, and litigation
• Support continuous improvement of governance and compliance systems

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary legal interface with:
• Government authorities and regulators in Oman
• External legal counsel (local and international)
• Joint venture partners, investors, and lenders
• Provide strategic legal advice to:
• Senior management
• Board of Directors
• Support the CEO in all relevant tasks where requested.

Requirements/ Skills/ Experience:

• Omani nationals only
• Minimum 10–15 years of legal experience, preferably in:
• Energy, infrastructure, or industrial projects
• Project development and project finance
• Strong experience in:
• EPC / EPCM contracting
• Cross-border transactions
• Experience in the Middle East (GCC), particularly Oman, is highly desirable.

Required Education/ Qualification/ Training:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law (LLB / LLM)
• Qualified lawyer in a recognized jurisdiction (preferred)

Required Language Proficiency:

English - Fluent