Legal counsel Middle East and North Africa
Casablanca, MA
For over 75 years, BIC has been creating ingeniously simple and joyful products that are a part of every heart and home.
As a member of our team, you'll be a part of reigniting a beloved brand as we continue to reimagine everyday essentials in new, sustainable and responsible ways.
Our "roll up your sleeves and get the job done" approach to work creates an environment where self-starters, problem solvers and innovative thinkers thrive. BIC team members are empowered to take ownership of their careers and bring their unique perspectives to the table to make a meaningful impact on our mission.
It's a colorful world - make your mark by joining the BIC team today.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Legal Counsel for the MENA region will act as a strategic legal partner, delivering proactive and reactive legal support across a wide range of business areas, including commercial, marketing, intellectual property, procurement and supply chain, finance, HR, and compliance. The role will oversee the region’s legal operations. The Legal Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel MEA.
The role will oversee the MENA region’s legal operations, The candidate must be team oriented and organized. The candidate will be part of the Group Legal team. In addition to being the lead on legal matters and support within the MENA region, this role will also support all Group Legal initiatives. This responsibility will include implementation of systems and procedures to ensure that the department is able to provide high quality, time advice to effectively service the business’s needs, prepare and review contracts and undertake contacts with authorities/regulators in relevant markets.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Advisory & Compliance:
- Offer proactive and reactive legal counsel and guidance on commercial, intellectual property, marketing, manufacturing/supply chain, finance, human resources, and compliance matters.
- Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments in the MENA region, researching and anticipating unique legal challenges, and advising the business on implications.
- Act as the focal point for Group Compliance implementing and overseeing compliance programs, including the Group’s Code of Ethics, anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies, and conducting internal investigations and audits as needed.
- Liaise with government authorities on regulatory, compliance, and legal matters when necessary.
- Review, confirm, and update company policies, handbooks, and processes to ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
Contracts and Transactions:
- Negotiate, draft, execute, and manage a variety of contracts, including those with suppliers, logistics, customers, distributors, employees, and consultants.
- Advise on and participate in the negotiation, preparation, and execution of corporate documents related to strategic projects.
- Provide legal support to project teams and Group Legal on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other strategic transactions in the region.
- Coordinate and manage specialist external counsel for specific projects, transactions, or disputes, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality, and timely advice.
Advertising, Marketing, and Brand Protection:
- Review and approve advertising and marketing materials, including product claims, promotional campaigns, and terms and conditions of sale, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards.
- Lead and coordinate anticounterfeiting operations in the MENA zone, collaborating with law enforcement, regulatory authorities, and external counsel to protect the Group’s intellectual property and brand integrity.
- Develop and implement strategies to monitor and address counterfeit activities and strengthen brand protection.
Business Function Support:
- Provide tailored legal support to critical business functions:
- Finance: Legal review of financial agreements, and intercompany agreements.
- HR: Advise on employment law, employee relations, workplace policies, and dispute resolution.
- Supply Chain: Draft and review vendor, logistics, and procurement contracts, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.
Risk Management and Dispute Resolution:
- Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across all regional operations, ensuring alignment with local and global standards.
- Handle litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution processes, coordinating with external counsel where necessary.
Training and Awareness:
- Provide or coordinate training sessions for employees on legal topics including, but not limited to, advertising regulations, compliance programs, anticounterfeiting efforts, and key legal risks.
- Foster a culture of compliance and legal awareness throughout the organization.
Collaboration and Gouvernance:
- Collaborate with other members of the Group Legal team to align on strategic priorities and ensure the business’s legal needs are met.
- Ensure adherence to corporate governance standards for regional subsidiaries, managing regulatory filings, and maintaining accurate corporate legal records.
Qualifications
Simple Criteria
Required
-
- Master’s degree in law and admitted to practice in Morocco
- Strong leadership skills, and able to build compliance culture within BIC
- At least 10 years of legal experience, preferably covering multi-national organizations and industry experience, preferably in MENA
- Proven expertise in compliance programs, advertising law, counterfeit prevention, and FMCG-specific legal matters such as product claims, labeling, supply chain and distribution
- Good analytical skills, and decision-making ability
- Excellent communication skills in English and French. Knowledge of Arabic would be preferred
- Strong integrity and business ethics
- A collaborative attitude, building strong relationships with all stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and flexibility as well as the ability to work effectively in global cross-cultural and cross-functional teams
- Ensure accurate and useful reporting on matters worked on to the reporting manager
- Willing to travel
BIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly commit to hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences to help us build better products, make better decisions, and better serve our customers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or similar characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
BIC is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any team member at BIC via email, or directly to a BIC team member in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of BIC, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by BIC as a result of the referral or through other means.