Corporate Secretary - Governance Specialist

Purpose

• The Corporate Secretary - Governance Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining

• and enhancing the Emirates Investment Authority’s (EIA) compliance with
• governance standards and legal frameworks.

• By ensuring the organization’s practices align with UAE regulations, international

• benchmarks, and best practices in governance, this position supports the strategic
• and operational decision-making processes at the highest level.

• The role also involves fostering robust relationships with government authorities,

• overseeing statutory obligations, and ensuring the effective functioning of Board and
• committee operations.

• In addition to being a governance advisor, the Corporate Secretary is a key advocate

• for organizational integrity and transparency, aligning all practices with EIA's
• overarching strategic goals.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal advisor to the Executive Board Committee and senior

• management on corporate governance matters, providing strategic insights and
• recommendations to align governance practices with UAE federal laws, international
• standards, and the EIA's long-term goals.

• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic review of governance policies,

• ensuring they reflect the operational nuances of a sovereign wealth fund while
• complying with legal mandates.

• Actively monitor the organization’s adherence to statutory and regulatory

• requirements, ensuring timely submissions, filings, and compliance reports to
• relevant authorities.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure governance strategies support the

• EIA's investment and operational goals, fostering an environment of accountability
• and ethical leadership.

Core Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate Board and committee meetings, ensuring seamless

logistics, comprehensive agenda preparation, and timely distribution of materials.

• Accurately document minutes of meetings, capturing all discussions, decisions, and

• resolutions in both English and Arabic, while maintaining an unwavering
• commitment to confidentiality and precision.

• Oversee the archiving of Board proceedings and corporate documents, ensuring

their secure storage and compliance with document retention policies.

• Draft, review, and translate legal and governance documents, including contracts,

• memorandums, policies, and correspondence, ensuring accuracy, legal compliance,
• and cultural relevance in both Arabic and English.

• Ensure all corporate documentation submitted to government authorities meets the

• required standards, fostering positive and efficient communication with regulatory
• bodies.

People & Leadership Responsibilities

• Design and deliver targeted training sessions for Board members and staff to

• strengthen their understanding of governance principles, statutory requirements,
• and ethical practices.

• Foster an organizational culture of governance excellence through regular

• workshops and awareness programs, ensuring a unified approach to compliance and
• accountability.

• Act as a mentor to junior staff, guiding them in governance-related tasks and

ensuring knowledge transfer to build a robust pipeline of governance professionals.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Advanced professional certification in governance (e.g., ICSA, IOD, or equivalent) is

highly desirable and indicative of expertise.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in governance, corporate

• secretarial roles, or compliance management, preferably within sovereign wealth
• funds, listed entities, or financial institutions in the UAE.

• Demonstrated success in drafting and managing complex legal documentation and

liaising effectively with government entities and regulatory authorities.

Technical Expertise / Skills / Knowledge

• Native-level fluency in Arabic and English, with advanced capabilities in legal

drafting, formal correspondence, and document translation.

• Expertise in governance software, board management tools, and Microsoft Office

Suite, ensuring efficient governance operations.

• In-depth understanding of UAE corporate and governance laws, coupled with

knowledge of global governance frameworks and practices.

Internal Interfaces

• Board of Directors
• Executive Committee
• Legal and Compliance Department
• Finance and Strategy/PMO Departments
• Human Resources for governance-related training and policy compliance

External Interfaces

• UAE government entities such as Ministries, Federal Regulatory Authorities, and

Judicial Bodies

• Legal advisors and governance consultants
• Regional and international governance organizations and sovereign wealth fund

networks

Management Accountability

• Ensure compliance with UAE governance laws, statutory obligations, and corporate

legal requirements.

• Strengthen the organization's governance framework by embedding best practices

in Board operations, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance.

• Lead the development of governance training programs and policy updates to align

with evolving regulatory standards.

• Oversee governance-related document management, ensuring secure and efficient

archival processes.

• Foster a transparent and accountable governance culture within EIA, ensuring

ethical leadership.

• Manage legal risks related to corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of statutory and regulatory reports to relevant

authorities.

• Enhance the organization’s governance maturity by adopting innovative and

technology-driven governance solutions.