Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel (Internationally recruited)

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 entire Organization on a diverse range of legal and ethical issues.  Advice is provided to the Director-General and to senior managers and Organizational committees, as well as to all Departments, Field Offices and Teams.  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 authorities.

THE POSITION

Under the overall guidance of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel works collaboratively with in-house clients to solve problems, strategize, and mitigate risk; and helps to ensure legal and ethical compliance, adequate and properly delegated authorities, and maximum protection of IDLO’s overseas personnel, facilities, and operations through the availability and enforcement of its privileges and immunities.

In particular, the Deputy General-Counsel is responsible for the following duties:

1.  Dispense advice, directly and through the General Counsel, on a range of issues to IDLO Departments and Units at all levels, including to the Office of the Director-General:

• Develop policy/legal instruments to support the expansion of IDLO activities into multiple national jurisdictions;
• Research and prepare legal opinions and policies relating to the functions, structure, and activities of IDLO;
• Draft, review, negotiate, implement, and apply contracts, memorandums of understanding, and other agreements in cooperation with internal business units;
• Draft or revise Organizational governance documents and resolutions; interpret and apply governance document rules; provide procedural guidance on meetings, elections, and other matters;
• Assist in internal disciplinary investigations, represent IDLO and litigate in internal and external dispute resolution proceedings and arbitrations, and liaise with external auditors or investigations;
• Represent the Organization in any other legal proceedings or actions in which it is a party.

2.  Review and advise the Organization on legal implications of program activities ensuring consistency with applicable law and IDLO’s character as an intergovernmental body:

• Advise program managers and personnel on legal issues relating to program activities, including application of privileges and immunities, and oversee the provision of legal advice by local counsel;
• Draft and negotiate Host Country Agreements and other legal documents to provide legal status and appropriate privileges and immunities for IDLO’s field operations;
• Develop protocols, policies, and procedures for IDLO programs and activities;
• Establish collaborative relationships with counterpart legal specialists, including local legal counsels, in the international organization community to gain a broad perspective on legal issues affecting international organizations.

3.  Assist in the preparation, revision, interpretation, and application of IDLO’s Employee Regulations and Rules, Organizational policies, and Code of Conduct:

• Develop, review, amend, interpret, and provide guidance on the implementation of IDLO regulations, rules, policies, and guidelines;
• Develop and deliver legal briefings to IDLO employees on relevant Organizational rules and policies including with respect to ethics to promote consistent, lawful, and appropriate employee conduct.

4.  Act as General Counsel when required:

• Provide senior and experienced legal oversight and mentoring in OGC.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

• A Law Degree, with admission to practice law, regardless of the jurisdiction, is required. Specialization in international law is an advantage.
• Minimum of 08 years of significant relevant professional experience, ideally within an international and/or multilateral organization.
• Substantial experience of handling corporate legal matters in a governmental or intergovernmental organization is essential.

Languages

• Fluency in English essential, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish desirable.

Specific knowledge, skills and behavioral competencies

• Demonstrated capacity as a self-starter with a proven ability to produce results and maintain the 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;
• 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;

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT and internet software.

• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

For this internationally recruited professional position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a fixed-term contract for 36 months, with the possibility of extension, subject to performance and availability of funding.

IDLO shall offer the suitable candidate an annual salary in the range of Eur 64,000.- and an additional benefit package, including medical, provident fund (IDLO contribution 14%) in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules.

The remuneration is net of income tax for those without Italian nationality or permanent residence. Relocation support is available for internationally recruited employees.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications. 

All applications must include (as an attachment) an updated Resume/CV and a Cover letter.

DISCLAIMER 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the employee assigned to this work. This 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.

In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.