Legal Counsel - Public Sector Operations - Policy and Governance at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/17/474
Country: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL6
Position N°: 50076310

The Complex

• Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Bank’s constitutive documents.
• The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President (PRST0); Independent Development Evaluation Department (BDEV); Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC); Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (BCRM); Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board (BSAB); Administrative Tribunal (BATR); Office of the Auditor General (PAGL); Group Risk Management Directorate (PGRM); General Counsel and Legal Services Department (PGCL); Communication and External Relations Department (PCER); Staff Integrity and Ethics Office (PETH) and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat(PSEG).

The Hiring Department

• The role of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department (PGCL) is to deliver legal advice and services to the statutory organs of the Bank Group and to protect the interest of the Bank from liability and represent the Bank in Litigation.  
• The principal objective of the Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division (PGCL.1) is to provide legal support in connection with public sector transactions and project implementation for loans and grants of the Bank and the Fund and other special vehicles such as special funds and trust funds. 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 Legal Counsel - Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance will ensure compliance with the various policies and regulations of the Bank related to public sector operations.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager PGCL 1, the Legal Counsel - Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance will:

• Review proposals and supporting documents for grants to be provided by Trust Funds and Special Funds managed by the Bank to ensure adherence to the relevant constitutive documents, guidelines and applicable Bank policies and attend technical review committee meetings;
• Draft agreements for grants provided from trust fund resources and oversee the execution of such agreements;
• Prepare MOUs and letters of intent for special initiatives or programmes for public sector operations;
• Draft and Negotiate financing agreements including loan agreements, grant agreements, guarantee agreements and co-financing agreements with other lenders;
• Draft legal opinions for the fulfillment of entry into force/effectiveness conditions and disbursement conditions for loans and grants of the Bank Group and trust funds including the review of documents submitted in fulfilment of the conditions;
• Draft Board resolutions pertaining to public sector projects and programs as appropriate;
• Ensure compliance of all operational activities with applicable Bank policies, rules and regulations.
• Provide legal advice and assist in the design of projects and programs from inception to completion in compliance with the Bank’s policies and regulations including the project structure and implementation arrangements, financing instrument(s), terms and conditions of financing, and compliance with the relevant policies and regulations of the Bank;
• Advice on the promulgation of operational policies and regulations of the Bank related to public sector operations.
• Provide legal advice on operations-related implementation activities of bilateral and multilateral cooperation arrangements related to public sector operations; and
• Undertake such other assignments as required by the Division Manager, PGCL.1 or the General Counsel in furtherance of the Department's mandate.

Selection Criteria
Including Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Holds a Master’s degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the Bank member countries; OR a Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Bar of one of the Bank member countries.
• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience in a law firm, a financial institution or a multilateral organisation.
• Good skills in preparation of basic legal documents including briefs and legal opinions and conducting negotiations.
• Good communication skills as well as the ability to build partnerships with a broad range of clients and deliver results.
• Great inter-personal skills and team spirit,
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English and/or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.