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Senior Legal Officer

Rome

  • Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • Location: Rome
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
  • Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement Number 1774
Date of Issue 20/06/2019
Deadline for Applications 08/07/2019
Organizational Unit Office of General Counsel
Level P-4
Duty Station ROME
Duration of Assignment 2 YEARS

Organizational context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.


Post's organizational accountability

The P-4 Senior Legal Officer post is the senior level in the field of general legal services. In addition to the activities performed at the P-3 Legal Officer level, this level requires independent and largely technically unsupervised interaction with partners inside and outside the Fund. The P-4 Senior Legal Officers typically have a leadership role, either technical or supervisory, in the Office.  The key results and accountabilities include:

  • Research and Analysis
  • Legal Advice and Opinions
  • Legal Instruments and Documents
  • Knowledge Management
  • Representing the Fund

The Senior Legal Officer works under the limited supervision and general guidance of the General Counsel, and plays a lead role in supporting the legal framework of IFAD’s operations.


Key results expected / Major functional activities

1. Research and Analysis: Conducts, and/or reviews, research on a wide range of legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the Fund, including those of a more complex nature. Provides interpretation of legal instruments, such as treaties, constitutions, statutes, rules and regulations, and other legal materials relevant to IFAD’s work.This will include, but it's not limited in the development of new porducts, internal policies and procedures, and model documents.

2. Legal Advice and Opinions: Provides legal advice and opinions on all issues relating to the operations, functions, structure and activities of the Fund, including legal aspects of the design and implementation of projects and programs, including project analysis, participating in missions and negotiating lending and grant agreements. Suggests creative solutions to facilitate the work of the Fund. Provides legal advice to internal committees and bodies, as well as assistance in resolving procedural and substantive legal issues at meetings.

3. Legal Instruments and Documents: Prepares, and reviews drafts of, legal instruments and documents, such as agreements, contracts, internal rules and regulations, and other legal materials related to IFAD’s operations. Assists in the establishment and maintenance of a clear and transparent rule system for IFAD’s operations and in drafting policies and procedures.

4. Knowledge Management: Contributes to the sharing of legal knowledge and precedents in the Office of the General Counsel relating to IFAD’s legal framework, operations, and institutional matters, through providing technical support to more junior Legal Officers and Legal Analysts, and by ensuring that legal opinions and instruments prepared are readily available for use by colleagues through proper entry in the legal files and/or database of the Office, as appropriate. Seeks to identify best practices for use by the Office. This will include, but is not limited to assist in training internal clients and staff, coordinating activiites with other multilaterals/IFIs on policy and institutional issues.

5. Representing the Fund: To the extent authorized by the President or General Counsel, negotiates agreements on behalf of the Fund. Liaises with counterparts in other organisations and, as appropriate, with representatives of Member States. Representation may also include preparing briefs and pleadings before appeals bodies, administrative tribunals, and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies.

6. Managerial Functions: The incumbent may supervise some of the work of Legal Officers and more junior Legal staff, including support staff, and is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD’s human and financial resources. Among other functions, the incubment may be required to hire and supervise outside counsel.

7. Miscellaneous: Performs other related duties as assigned by the General Counsel, which may include legal work related to institutional, administrative, and financial matters, such as the replenishment of IFAD’s resources, investment of funds, treasury, market borrowing, private sector, personnel issues, procurement, and relationships with the host country and other Member States, the United Nations and other international organisations, cooperating institutions, and other entities, among other matters.


Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

At this level, Senior Legal Officers are recognized in their field both within and outside the Fund, and thus the impact of work performed is considered both authoritative and innovative; the incumbent develops new approaches that impact directly on the approach, structure and content of legal studies in matters of a sensitive or unprecedented nature, as well as the official interpretation of legal instruments.  Going beyond impact on the reputation of the Office of the General Counsel, their work impacts on the structure of legal advice at all levels of and across the Fund indirectly impacting on senior management decision-making.


Representation / Work relationships

Representational functions of the Senior Legal Officer include participating in the negotiation of financing agreements and contracts, presenting IFAD’s position in interagency meetings and working groups, and liaising with external parties. Such functions may also include representing the Fund in negotiating agreements and in administrative appeals. The Senior Legal Officer also represents the Office of the General Counsel on internal committees and at interdepartmental meetings. 

Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts at senior levels, both inside the Fund and in government agencies and other international organizations, to resolve problems and to provide legal advice and interpretations. Contacts may include host country representatives in the establishment of host country agreements  and providing advice on matters of law to competent authorities, delegations, bodies, other legal offices of the United Nations common system. In a consultative and advisory capacity, they provide expert advice on the Fund's policies, procedures, rules and regulations.


Competencies

Organizational:

  • Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
  • Demonstrating Leadership: Leads by example; initiates and supports change (Level 2)
  • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Challenges, innovates and contributes to a learning culture (Level 2)
  • Focusing on clients: Contributes to a client-focused culture (Level 2)
  • Problem solving and decision making: Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact (Level 2)
  • Managing time, resources and information: Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources (Level 2)
  • Team Work: Fosters a cohesive team environment (Level 2)
  • Communicating and negotiating: Acquires and uses a wide range of communication styles and skills (Level 2)
  • Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally (Level 2)
  • Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively (Level 1)

Technical/Functional:

  • Authoritative knowledge of the legal profession, with good knowledge of international law.
  • Ability and skill in identifying best practices and implementing, innovations in the field of work and adapting them to emerging legal issues in the Fund.
  • Ability to integrate legal expertise with the administrative and political constraints of the Fund.
  • Communication skills to lead a team, establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and provide authoritative advice at all levels of the Fund and its governing structure.
  • Ability to identify and seize opportunities to introduce innovations.
  • Ability to keep abreast of innovations in the field of work and best practices.
  • Ability to formulate strategies in the conduct of research and presentation of legal positions and arguments.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Juris Doctor, Law Degree, Masters of Law or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a field of law such as international, administrative, commercial, economics or other related legal field.

Experience:

  • At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience working in international organizations or international financing institutions, among other skills, the Senior Legal Officer should have prior experience on public sector lending, grants, and in the application of theoretical legal knowledge to problems and situations of national and international legislation, as well as substantive experience relevant to the functions of a multi-cultural organization.

Language requirements:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language is desirable, preferentially Spanish and/or French.  

Required licensing:

  • License to practice law in at least one of the Fund's member countries.

Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.


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