General Counsel and Head of Legal Services

PURPOSE

• Serves as the authoritative legal advisor of the organization by planning, directing and supervising the legal functions and activities of the organization;
• Provides authoritative legal advice to the Governing Organs, the Director-General and managers on the full range of policy, program, strategy, resource mobilization and other matters with legal implications;
• Ensures consistency in application and interpretation of the organization’s legal instruments, such as the charter document, regulations, rules and policies;
• Develops internal corporate governance systems and processes in collaboration with Management to ensure integrity and compliance;
• Manages and provides strategies that minimize the negative impact of external factors, such as contracts, litigation, real property transactions and national laws, to facilitate the management of risks; and
• Safeguards and promotes the international inter-governmental nature of the organization and oversees the process of obtaining and maintaining privileges, immunities and exemptions customarily afforded to international inter-governmental organizations in GGGI member countries and countries of operation.

ENGAGEMENT

• Represents GGGI in the resolution of legal and other associated conflicts within GGGI, and in disputes between GGGI and other entities, both public and private, that ensure GGGI’s interests are protected and risks are minimized;
• Supervises and oversees the development of lawyers in the Legal Services Unit, and builds relationships with external legal resources to supplement internal capacity in areas of specialized legal work or specific country settings;
• Articulates key practices and common law department processes and oversee development of training on legal issues and compliance for staff at all levels;
• Initiates and participates in meetings with managers on matters of concern relating to the functions, structure and activities of the organization;
• Secures support from the Director-General and the Council on the promotion and strengthening of a culture of accountability, integrity and compliance across GGGI;
• Sustains engagement with member countries and countries of operation in relation to privileges, immunities and exemptions; and
• Represents the organization in major legal activities. 

DELIVERY

• Plans, coordinates and directs the legal work of the organization and sets strategic goals to effectively manage the annual program delivery in a manner that ensures matters with legal implications are handled efficiently and effectively;
• Empowers managers to take appropriate courses of action by providing authoritative advice on substantive issues of major importance and contributing to overall policy objectives;
• Promotes the integration of professional legal standards and mechanisms into GGGI frameworks to strengthen the integrity of systems across the organization; and
• Contains GGGI’s legal risk in its relations with governments and the private sector to enable the organization to achieve its objectives in a cost and time efficient manner while safeguarding its reputation and institutional integrity. 

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor, LLB or equivalent from an accredited university or law school, and qualification or admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction;
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience since earning law degree, including knowledge of and experience with international inter-governmental organizations and experience leading and working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants and other partners with a broad exposure to private and public stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Experience in, or working with, developing countries;
• International legal perspective; and
• Outstanding record of achievement.    

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrated expertise in a broad variety of legal areas affecting GGGI and in principles, concept and practices applicable to its activities;
• Strong client service skills and the ability to resolve problems creatively and effectively, to identify underlying issues in complex situations, to recognize patterns and trends, and to apply relevant expertise and experience to diverse legal questions;
• Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate a broad range of contractual agreements;
• Demonstrated capability to apply sound legal judgement to complex legal matters, and proven analytical skills with creative solutions to legal challenges;
• Experience advising clients, and ability to establish credibility and rapport with people at all levels within the organization;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability and personality to work collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organization, accept responsibility and motivate colleagues;
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating cultural sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people;
• Flexibility and ability to cope with a changing environment, and comfort with ambiguity and providing advice in unchartered waters;
• Demonstrated experience with managing multiple complex projects and responsibilities concurrently and effectively, meeting tight deadlines, and willingness to be flexible with a lean staff in a fast-paced environment;
• Highly organized, bringing a sense of urgency and a dedication to excellence and integrity;
• Ability to organize people, tasks and activities to yield efficient work flow;
• Ability to contribute creatively, flexibly and proactively to the construction of a new and evolving organization in a spirit of partnership with internal colleagues and external stakeholders; and
• As the organization continues to develop and mature, ability to evolve and adopt a flexible approach to work requirements and to undertake new or alternative duties as required. 

CORPORATE

• Achieving results;
• Application of technical knowledge and skills;
• Client orientation;
• Learning and knowledge sharing;
• Working together;
• Inspiring trust and integrity;
• Leadership and strategic thinking;
• Managing staff; and

Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.