Chief Legal Counsel, Public Sector Operations - Policy and Governance Division, PGCL.1 at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/17/127/2
Country: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL3
Position N°: 50069181

The Complex

• The President, plans, supervises and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund. The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Unit; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk Management Directorate;  General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Staff Integrity and Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

The Hiring Department/Division

• The role of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department is to deliver legal advice and services to the statutory organs of the Bank Group (the Bank): Board of Governors, Board of Directors, Senior Management, Regional Directorate Hubs and more generally to the whole Bank. The General Counsel and Legal Services Department’s job is also to protect the interest of the Bank from legal liability and, as necessary, to ensure that the Bank Group is properly and efficiently defended in cases filed against or brought by the Bank.
• The principal objective of the Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division is to provide legal support, advice, and services in connection with public sector transactions and project implementation for loans and grants for the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and other special vehicles such as trust funds, projects and programs. In addition, the Division provides legal assistance on operations policies and governance, environmental and procurement related matters as well as all aspects of the business of the Bank Group.

The Position

• The Chief Legal Counsel - Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division ensures the correct interpretation and compliance of legal work undertaken in the Division.
• S/he deputises the manager and also mentors and coaches new lawyers and provides technical guidance to lawyers in the Division.
• The incumbent will be expected to advise on complex and sensitive projects and negotiations in the public sector.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Division Manager, Public Sector Operations, policy and Governance Division, the Chief Legal Counsel Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division will undertake the following Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance of projects and other operational activities financed by the Bank with applicable Bank rules and policies as well as minimize risks that may impede the achievement of desirable outcomes.
• Provide legal advice to project teams throughout the identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision board presentation and post-evaluation stages of the project cycle.
• Provide legal advice to project teams on the project design including advising on the structure of the project, type of financing instruments, terms of financing, implementation arrangements and compliance with the relevant Bank policies, rules and regulations..
• Draft and Negotiate financing agreements including loan agreements, grant agreements, guarantee agreements and co-financing agreements.
• Provide legal opinions on the effectiveness of Loan Agreements and the fulfilment of conditions precedent to disbursement including the review of legal and operational documents submitted in fulfilment of loan and grant conditions.
• Advise on the drafting and promulgation of the Bank’s operational policies.
• Deputise the Division manager from time to time by attending meetings of the Board of Directors and Senior Management committees directly related to the functions of the Manager; and
• Undertake such other assignments as required by the Division Manager or the General Counsel.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries; OR a Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries.
• Have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in similar roles in a law firm, a financial institution or a multilateral organisation.
• Seasoned knowledge of the current trends of development and familiarity with development finance and public international law
• Strong drafting skills and solid experience in leading negotiation of complex projects and other transactions of a similar nature
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build partnerships with a broad range of clients and deliver results.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and train and mentor colleagues
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English and French, a working knowledge of the other is an added advantage.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.