Senior Legal Counsel - GECL.0 at African Development Bank - AfDB

The principal objective of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department (GECL) is to protect the interests of the Bank. In this connection, the Department provides the legal services required by the entities constituting the Bank Group, and ensures that the Bank Group’s activities and operations are consistent with the respective constitutive and other legal instruments, as well as applicable law. 

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the General Counsel, the incumbent will perform the following, in connection with all GECL activities:

• Assist the General Counsel in monitoring the execution of the work programme of GECL and ensure that assignments are completed within the prescribed deadlines;
• Conduct legal research, write legal opinions and memoranda on all matters relevant to the work of the Department;
• Coordinate with Legal Counsel in the Department to ensure that all briefs and other documents for the attention of the General Counsel are efficiently and timely drafted and/or compiled before Boards meetings;
• Review appraisal reports to be presented to the Boards of Directors, and ensure in particular that the disbursement conditions, the financial terms and other salient terms are consistent with the policies and rules of the Bank;
• Assist the General Counsel in handling institutional matters by preparing and/or compiling, and analyzing relevant information documents;
• Organize the safe keeping of all Legal Opinions issued by the General Counsel and ensure that Legal Opinions are available in English and French, as required;
• Prepare presentations and briefs for the General Counsel in the context of the participation of the General Counsel at conferences, seminars and other international fora organized for instance by other multilateral development banks or international lawyers associations;  and
• Undertake such other assignments as required in furtherance of the Department’s mandate.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of  Master’s degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries; or
• a Bachelor’s degree with a relevant combination of academic qualification in law e.g. Juris Doctor (JD) and with admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, with an established law firm or an international financial institution, with proven administrative skills and experience in major international financial transactions;
• Proven competence in Litigation and /or International Finance, Corporate Law, Development as well as Private and Public International Law;
• Demonstrated communication, team building, inter-personal, writing and analytical skills;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and/or French.  Working knowledge of the second language will be an advantage;
• Competence in the use of standard software such as MSWord, Power Point, Excel. Knowledge of SAP.