Legal Advisor on Public International Law

Legal Advisor on Public International Law

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Iris Executives is a leading executive search firm specialising in Emiratisation and senior-level recruitment since 2010. We partner with government entities and strategic organisations across the UAE to identify exceptional leadership and advisory talent. We are currently supporting a leading government organisation in the search for an experienced Legal Advisor on Public International Law.

The Legal Advisor on Public International Law will join an established legal team within a senior UAE government ministry, providing expert advisory services on a broad range of international law matters. Reporting to the Department Director and Deputy Directors, the successful candidate will serve as a trusted legal expert for senior officials and departments across the organisation.

Day to day, the role involves researching and drafting legal opinions, briefing senior officials on emerging international law issues — sometimes at short notice — and reviewing official communications for legal consistency. The caseload spans the full breadth of public international law, from treaty interpretation and state responsibility to diplomatic law and international human rights matters.

The role contributes directly to the ministry's ability to take legally sound, internationally credible positions on the issues that matter most. The Legal Advisor's work shapes how the organisation responds to international developments, engages with multilateral bodies, and communicates publicly on sensitive matters of international law.

The ideal candidate is a senior international lawyer with a genuinely generalist background in public international law, a strong track record of advising governments or multilateral bodies, and the communication skills to make complex legal analysis accessible to non-lawyers at the most senior levels.

• Research, draft, and deliver legal advice on complex, multi-disciplinary public international law matters for senior officials and departments
  
• Provide timely oral briefings and advisory support, including on urgent and sensitive international law questions
  
• Integrate legal advice into political and policy discussions, recognising the broader context in which advice is used
  

• Prepare and review inter-departmental reports and analytical papers for internal stakeholders
  
• Edit and review public statements, press releases, and official communications for consistency with principles of international law
  

• Work cooperatively within a collaborative team environment, promoting effective working practices
  
• Mentor and develop more junior lawyers within the department, building team capacity
  

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in international law
  
• Proven track record of advising governments, intergovernmental organisations, or multilateral bodies on public international law
  
• Demonstrated breadth across multiple areas of PIL — treaties, state responsibility, use of force, immunities, human rights, IHL
  

• Law degree (LLB or equivalent) — minimum requirement
  
• Advanced degree in international law (LLM or equivalent) — strongly preferred
  

• UN Office of Legal Affairs and UN agency legal teams
  
• International courts and tribunals — ICJ, ICC, ITLOS, WTO Dispute Settlement
  
• Foreign affairs or justice ministries of other states
  
• Arab League or Organisation of Islamic Cooperation legal teams
  
• International law firms with dedicated public international law practices
  
• Permanent missions to the UN or other multilateral bodies
  

• Ability to apply international legal norms to concrete factual circumstances and produce timely, actionable advice
  
• Excellent legal analytical and writing skills — producing concise, accessible notes for non-lawyer decision-makers
  
• Strong briefing and presentation skills adaptable to different audiences and levels of seniority
  
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent matters under pressure and against tight deadlines
  
• Fluency in written and spoken English; Arabic proficiency a significant advantage
  

This position places the Legal Advisor at the centre of decisions that shape the organisation's legal standing internationally. By providing expert, timely advice to senior government officials on complex and sensitive international law matters, the Legal Advisor contributes directly to legally sound and internationally credible positions — work that has real consequences on the world stage.

The organisation offers a comprehensive government employment package including:

• Competitive salary and government benefits package
  
• Medical coverage
  
• Annual leave entitlement and public holidays
  
• Professional development opportunities
  
• The opportunity to work on consequential, high-profile international law matters
  

Full compensation details will be discussed confidentially with shortlisted candidates.

Government | Public International Law | Legal Advisory

Qualified candidates interested in this opportunity are invited to:

• Request the candidate data form
  
• Submit their updated CV for confidential consideration
  

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Iris Executives to discuss the role and compensation details.

All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.