Grade: IS - 2

Deadline: 28 November 2019 (11:59 PM KST)

The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their peoples.

Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies.  It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 111 projects in 99 countries and has committed USD 5.0 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.

Position description 

OGC is responsible for protecting the legal interests of GCF and advises on methods to limit GCF’s risk exposure appropriately.  It prepares or reviews documents which create and define the legal rights or obligations of GCF.

The Associate Counsel, reporting to the General Counsel, supports OGC in achieving its key performance indicators by providing timely and robust legal advice in respect of all institutional, corporate and administrative matters. The Associate Counsel will be expected to work directly with clients for most tasks, and under supervision for certain complex and critical tasks. 

Duties and responsibilities

Purpose

• Identify and resolve, under supervision where necessary, legal issues arising in the context of the GCF’s administrative, corporate and institutional activities.
• Analyze and develop draft policies relating to human resources, procurement, ICT, contributions, and other institutional matters, ensuring their legal robustness and consistency with the GCF legal framework

Engagement

• Collaborate with relevant GCF divisions to advise them of legal issues arising out of personnel matters, procurement issues and matters relating to intellectual property and contribute to development of best practices on legal matters
• Negotiate, under supervision where appropriate, agreements on privileges and immunities with countries in line with Board and COP guidance

Delivery

• Deliver high quality drafts of pleadings in respect of staff disputes, draft procurement agreements, and advise on privileges and immunities in a timely manner
• Assess legal risks arising out of the administrative, corporate and institutional activities of the GCF, propose clear and practical advice to mitigate such risks and share lessons learnt.
• Manage the registration of the GCF trademarks globally

Required experience and qualifications*

• Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree, and qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction (additional LLM degree is a plus)
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, of which at least two at the international level; experience of working in an international organization on relevant matters is an advantage
• Substantial experience in two or more of the following areas: international administrative law, international institutional law, privileges, and immunities of international organizations, internal administration, procurement, resource mobilization, and Board support
• Ability to work independently and under pressure with a high level of accuracy
• Excellent writing, presentation, negotiation and communication skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving aptitude
• Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged.