General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel

Title:                               General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel

Category:                        Fixed Term - Professional

Duty Station:                   Rome, Italy - Headquarters

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT 

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is a dynamic generalist legal practice whose overarching aim is to advance and protect the legal interests of IDLO, while mitigating risk, fostering accountability, and helping to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Organization and its governing bodies. OGC advises the Organization on a diverse range of legal and ethical issues.  Advice is provided to the Director-General and senior managers, as well as to all Departments, Field Offices, Committees, Teams and IDLO Governing bodies.  Given the high legal and ethical standard against which a rule-of-law promotion organization is held, OGC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that IDLO is in full compliance with all applicable laws and policies.

THE POSITION 

Reporting to the Director-General, the General Counsel is responsible for leading and managing IDLO’s corporate legal affairs and for ensuring that the Organization’s activities are carried out in accordance with its governing documents and relevant laws, rules, policies and ethical standards. As the chief legal advisor to the Director-General and a member of IDLO’s Senior Leadership Team, the General-Counsel is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Advise and represent the organization on all legal matters, including governance, dispute resolution, privileges and immunities and host country arrangements.

• Provide legal advice to the Director-General and governing bodies on all matters including the functions, structure, and activities of the Organization, agreements and other legal documents, international and other applicable law, and Organizational regulations, rules, and policies, and procedures;
• Prepare governing body draft resolutions and any proposed amendments to governance documents; interpret governance document provisions, and ensure compliance with IDLO rules and procedures by the governing bodies;
• Develop and negotiate Host Country Agreements or other instruments for the conferral of legal status and privileges and immunities on IDLO.Represent and advance the Organization’s interests in any audit, investigation, or grievance lodged against IDLO and help investigate and advise on the handling of any disciplinary matters, disputes, and related proceedings;Represent and litigate on behalf of the Organization in administrative, legal, and other proceedings or actions in which it is a party;

2. Develop, manage and oversee an effective and high caliber internal legal capacity to provide corporate legal services covering all areas of its operations.

• Provide in-house clients with legal opinions, strategic or interpretative advice, and proposed solutions to problems and on risk mitigation concerning the functions, structure, and activities of the Organization;
• Draft, review, negotiate, interpret, and/or advise on contracts, agreements and other legal documents related to institutional and program matters, in cooperation with in-house clients;
• Oversee the work of OGC lawyers and staff by providing clear direction, guidance and support;
• Manage staff performance and development through ongoing dialogue and mentoring; motivate and support staff with a view to fostering a teamwork approach in meeting objectives and goals;
• Develop and effectively implement an annual program of work and budget for the OGC;

3. Serve as a member of the IDLO Senior Leadership Team, represent IDLO, and contribute to the shaping and defining of IDLO’s vision and strategy;

• Promote a strong climate of lawful and ethical conduct including through the development and application of organizational regulations, rules, policies and guidelines to govern institutional activities;
• Advise the Director-General and the Senior Leadership Team on any legal or ethical issues that arise within or concern IDLO;
• Support the Director-General in building and maintaining constructive relations with IDLO’s governing bodies and Member Parties;
• Build collaboration with the international legal community to keep abreast of developments regarding privileges and immunities and the status and governance of intergovernmental organizations.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE 

IDLO seeks a General Counsel with a deep interest and passion for the organization’s mission. The ideal candidate must bring a broad-based background in law, with the ability to manage a diverse and dynamic workload and gain trust and credibility in an organization that includes many lawyers within its ranks. It is essential for the successful candidate to have significant legal experience in organizational matters in governmental or inter-governmental settings.

• A Law Degree, with admission to practice law, regardless of the jurisdiction, is required. Specialization in international law is an advantage.
• A minimum of 15 years professional experience in progressively responsible leadership roles is required.
• Substantial experience of handling corporate legal matters in a governmental or intergovernmental organization is essential.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE / LANGUAGE SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES 

• Fluency in English essential, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish desirable;
• Demonstrated capacity as a self-starter with a proven ability to produce results and maintain credibility of the legal function;
• Proven ability to lead and manage change in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment;
• Strong client-oriented approach and customer service ethics; proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Proven capacity to negotiate and resolve delicate issues in a diplomatic and balanced way;
• Strong inter-personal skills, able to promote mutual respect and trust, and relate to people from different cultures;
• Impeccable integrity, sense of ethics and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a fixed-term internationally recruited senior leadership position with an annual salary in the range of €105,000 plus applicable benefits and allowances. The IDLO benefit package in accordance with IDLO Employee regulations and Rules includes: Provident Fund (IDLO contribution 14%) and subsidized health insurance coverage including life insurance, medical and dental through CIGNA International to the employee and eligible dependents plus other admissible benefits. Relocation support is available for internationally recruited employees.  

The remuneration is net of income tax for those without Italian nationality or permanent residence. 

HOW TO APPLY

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via our website www.idlo.int/jobs  and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter. 

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. Women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. 

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is: April 29, 2018 (23:59hrs Rome Time).