Legal Counsel

Organization: HRDC’s Client

Project: Vietnam Block B Gas

Job Description

• Provides interpretation of relevant Vietnam Laws (e.g. Petroleum Law, Bidding Law, Construction Law, Commercial Law, Civil Code) and relevant International Law (related to the oil and gas business) for the Development Department, and other departments as required.
• Subject matter expert on legal matters pertaining to internal oil and gas Contracts in all respects (interpretation, applicable laws, risks, and the like).
• Reviews draft Contracts at the tendering stage, ensuring clauses and reasonable provisions protect the interests of Company .
• Ensures there is no conflict in documentation and that there is consistency between the various Commercial and Technical documents included in the aforementioned Contracts.
• Assists with any contractual and commercial matters that may arise during tendering, including tax, insurance, indemnities, and warranty issues.
• Participates in the negotiations and finalization of Contracts for the FSO Time Charter Lease MWS, IVS, QA/QC and CAR Insurance.
• Supports the execution of the Development Contracts including EPCI#1, EPCI#2, FSO, Marine Warranty Services, QA/QC Services, Independent Verification Services and CAR Insurance including handling of legal disputes, claims etc.
• Supports in reviewing, verifying and challenging Change Requests from the EPCI Contractors for the CPP Facilities and WHP/Hub & Pipelines, and other Contracts as above.
• Provides summaries of contractual and commercial legal issues to Development Management, including recommendations thereto, including the coordination of internal legal support and independent legal advice as appropriate.
• Supports in presenting the Company position to PVN and Shareholders on prevailing legal matters, including as related to Production Sharing Contracts and Joint Operating Agreements.
• Able to clearly and professionally explain legal risks and to offer sound legal advice and commercial solutions within acceptable legal and risk frameworks.
• Able to work independently without supervision.
• Works in compliance with the Company’s management systems.
• As necessary, perform other related duties requiring similar level of skill & responsibility.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Law.
• At least 10 years of experience working with a leading or mid-tier law firm or with an international Oil & Gas Company/Consultant/Contractor related to major Oil & Gas Projects.
• Legal qualifications in Vietnamese Law as related to the major construction contracts
• Excellent command in English (comprehension, speaking and writing).
• Extensive experience in negotiating, concluding, and administering complex multinational contracts.
• Litigation, arbitration, and dispute settlement experience.
• Corporate commercial experience in joint venture
• Extensive experience of interpreting Vietnamese Law related to the oil and gas business.
• Excellent communication, negotiating, and influencing skills founded on meticulous interpretation and detailed analysis.
• Strong interpersonal skills, commercial approach and a commitment to excellence combined with the ability to translate commercial imperatives into practical solutions.
• Able to work in a multi-cultural team environment.
• Understanding of major capital projects as related to tendering and contracting.
• Strong understanding of Vietnamese and international law related to major oil and gas capital projects.
• Able to review, comprehend, interpret, and apply applicable Laws,