Legal Officer (Corporate Litigation & Dispute Resolution)

Launched in July 2014 from its Dhaka hub, US-Bangla Airlines has grown into the largest private passenger airline in Bangladesh. Driven by the motto "Fly Fast, Fly Safe," the carrier operates an extensive network across Asia and the Middle East. Supported by a modern fleet of ATR 72-600, Boeing 737-800, and Airbus A330-300 aircraft, US-Bangla continues to expand its routes and position itself as a premier regional carrier.

Objective of the Role:

To provide assurance that the company complies with international aviation law and reduces the risk to the company, in relation to all aspects of its international contracts including aircraft dry and wet lease agreements, fuel hedging agreements, insurance agreements and other cross border commercial arrangements. The Position ensures that the company protects itself from legal, financial and operational risk through the implementation of global aviation legal best practices. The incumbent needs to be enrolled in enrolled with Bangladesh Bar Council.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Contracts management & advisory

• Draft, review, negotiate and finalize all types of international contracts (dry leases, wet leases, ACMI agreements and sales purchase contracts).
• Provide legal advice relating to fuel hedging agreements and financial derivatives.
• Oversee aviation insurance contracts (hull, passenger liability, war risk, etc.)
• Ensure that all contracts comply with international aviation laws/conventions and national regulations.

2. Legal risks assessments & compliances

• Identify legal risks/liabilities in all contractual commitments.
• Comply with ICAO standards, IATA guidelines and relevant countries' regulations.
• Develop risk reduction measures for international transactions.

3. Liaising with stakeholders/lessors

• Coordinate obligations/settlements/disputes with aircraft lessors/ financiers/ insurers/ international legal bodies.
• Manage obligations/settlements/disputes with various stakeholders.
• Support negotiations with OEMs/MROs/GSPS globally.

4. Resolving disputes & claim handling

• Handle disputes resulting from lease agreement(s)/insurance claim(s)/contract breach(es)
• Coordinating arbitration/litigation/mediation process (when needed).
• Ensuring favorable settlements to avoid adverse financial and reputation implications.

5. Developing policies & legal safeguards

• Developing implementing legal framework/sop/contract governance policies.
• Implementing best practices for contract life cycle management.
• Maintaining common template contracts in line with airline industry standards.

6. Periodic monitoring

• Effectively executing/mapping all international contracts.
• Providing periodic report on legal performance to MD & CEO.
• Recommending improvement based upon contract outcomes/risk exposures.

7. Aligning considerations for the Airline Industry best practice in all actions related to legal affairs

• All lease agreements should adhere to standard aviation leasing structures (ACMI/Wet/Dry Lease frameworks).
• Including jurisdictional clarity/arbitration clauses (London/Singapore arbitration).
• Adhering to Cape Town Convention provisions (if applicable).
• Robustly incorporating insurance coverage clauses into contracts to reduce operational risks.
• Establishing legal safeguards against fuel hedging and subsequent financial volatility.
• Implementing contract audit/compliance tracking systems.
• Clearly defining SLAs/penalty clauses for all international vendors.

Required competencies

Core Competencies (behavioral & leadership)

- Integrity & Professional Ethics

- Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen

- Analytical/Critical Thinking

- Communication & Influencing skills

- Stakeholder Management/Collaboration

- Decision Making & Accountability

Functional competencies (technical & role specific)

- International Contract Law Expertise: Strong command over cross-border contract drafting/negotiating/reviewing to ensure enforceability in multiple jurisdictions. Ability to structure agreements containing clear governing law/jurisdiction/arbitration clauses protecting company interests.

- Regulatory Compliance Knowledge (global aviation standards): Deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks/applicable standards/practices of international aviation organizations.

- Ability to ensure all contracts comply with applicable international and local law/regulations/commercial operations requirements.

Qualifications/Education:

- Bachelor of laws (LLB) & Master of laws (LLM) from recognized universities must be completed.

- Enrolment in Bangladesh Bar Council.

Experience:

- At least 2 – 4 years of experience in corporate/legal farm, as a position holder of a lawyer.

- Experience in aircraft leasing, insurance or financial contracts will be considered an advantage.

Skills/knowledge:

- Excellent language capacity in English. Language capacity in French, Spanish or Arabic will be an asset.

- Working knowledge of international aviation law & leasing models.

- Expert-Level skills in draft/analyze/negotiate/risk assessment regarding contracts.

- Good knowledge about ICAO/IATA/global regulatory body frameworks.

- Excellent stakeholder relations/building communication skills.

- Strong analytical/problem solving abilities.

- Confidentiality as a core behavior/professional competency.

Please be noted that this job post will be removed once we receive a sufficient number of applications. Thank you!