The Role
The Advisor provides high-level legal and policy advisory on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, reviews drafts, and supports negotiations aligned with UAE priorities.
Summary Generated by Built In
Advisor / Expert – Bilateral Agreements (ONLY FOR UAE NATIONALS)
• Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Level: Senior Advisory (Grade 16–17)
• Entity: A leading UAE government institution in foreign affairs
• Reports to: Director, Bilateral Agreements Department
About IRIS Executives
IRIS Executives is the UAE’s Emiratisation Executive Search leader since 2010. We proudly support national talent into high-impact leadership roles across government and strategic sectors. For this mandate, we are partnering with a leading UAE government institution to identify an Advisor/Expert in Bilateral Agreements (UAE Nationals only).
Role Overview
The Advisor/Expert will provide high-level legal and policy advisory on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, ensuring alignment with the UAE’s economic and foreign policy priorities. You will review and draft treaty provisions, brief senior leadership, and support negotiations to ensure UAE positions are clearly articulated and protected in international forums.
Key Responsibilities
• Advise on the legal and policy dimensions of bilateral and multilateral trade and investment agreements in line with national objectives.
• Review, draft, and interpret treaties, MoUs, and FTA texts, ensuring consistency with international trade law, WTO frameworks, and FTA structures.
• Conduct risk/opportunity analysis on negotiation drafts; recommend negotiating positions and safeguard clauses.
• Support/advise leadership during international negotiations; prepare talking points, position papers, and briefing notes for high-level meetings and missions.
• Coordinate with domestic stakeholders (e.g., economy, customs, justice) to harmonize treaty obligations with national legislation.
• Monitor global trade developments, WTO rulings and dispute settlements relevant to UAE interests; translate insights into actionable guidance.
• Support internal frameworks for treaty ratification, amendment, and enforcement.
• Represent UAE positions in relevant regional/international forums when required.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Education
• Master’s in International Law, Public Policy, or International Relations (PhD preferred).
Requirements
Experience
• 10–15 years in government, intergovernmental organizations, or legal advisory roles with direct exposure to international economic/trade policy.
• Demonstrated expertise in WTO, GATT, FTA and multilateral economic frameworks.
• Hands-on experience representing or advising government in trade/investment negotiations.
• Proven ability to analyze, draft, and interpret international agreements and legal texts.
• Familiarity with economic diplomacy and regulatory harmonization.
Skills & Competencies
• Deep knowledge of WTO law and FTA negotiation mechanisms.
• Precise legal drafting and advanced analytical skills.
• Strong negotiation and diplomacy capabilities.
• Ability to interpret trade policies within international frameworks and translate them for decision-makers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; Arabic or French is an asset.
• High professional integrity, discretion, and stakeholder management.
Eligibility
• UAE Nationals only.
• Eligible for UAE residency and security clearance.
• Availability to be based in Abu Dhabi on a full-time basis.
Industry
Government | Foreign Affairs | International Trade Policy & Economic Diplomacy
How to Apply (through Iris Executives)
Interested candidates are invited to:
1. Request a Data Form from your recruiter and fill it out (takes <1 minute to complete).
2. Send your CV to Iris Executives together with the completed form.
3. If your CV is not updated, don’t worry, we’ll update/format your CV at no cost.
4. Compensation details and any sensitive information will be discussed confidentially at later stages.
Skills Required
- Master's in International Law, Public Policy, or International Relations (PhD preferred)
- 10-15 years in government, intergovernmental organizations, or legal advisory roles
- Demonstrated expertise in WTO, GATT, FTA and multilateral economic frameworks
- Hands-on experience representing or advising government in trade/investment negotiations
- Proven ability to analyze, draft, and interpret international agreements and legal texts
- Familiarity with economic diplomacy and regulatory harmonization
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The Company
What We Do
Iris Executives is a recruitment and executive search firm specializing in placing qualified UAE Nationals. They offer HR services, including staffing, outplacement, training, and change management consulting, aiming to transform workplaces and improve people's lives.
