Senior Counsel, Office of the General Counsel - Two positions (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, country 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 direct supervision of the General Counsel, the Senior 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. The Senior Counsel will be expected to:

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 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, Memoranda 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 investigators;
• 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 status as an intergovernmental organization:

• Advise program managers and personnel on legal issues relating to program activities, including on the application of privileges and immunities, and oversee 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 country offices;
• Review, draft, and negotiate agreements, contracts, leases, and other legal documents in support of 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. Deputize for the General Counsel when required:

• Provide senior and experienced legal oversight and mentoring in OGC;
• Serve as required on Organizational committees.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

• A Law Degree, with admission to practice law, regardless of jurisdiction, is required. Specialization in international law is an advantage;
• Minimum 8 years of significant professional experience, ideally within an international governmental and/or multilateral organization is required;
• Substantial experience of handling corporate legal matters in a governmental or intergovernmental organization is essential. 

Languages

• Fluency in English is required, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.  

Specific Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• 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; 
• Act as a role model and offers guidance to colleagues. Takes initiative to share knowledge, experiences and information with others. Accepts and gives constructive feedback (up, down and across) to develop and motivate others;
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to travel to IDLO’s Country Offices, if necessary.

Terms and Conditions

Forthis internationally professional recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Fixed Term contract of 24 months, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding.  

IDLO shall offer a yearly basic salary of EUR 64,000 and a benefits package including provident fund contribution (14%), medical insurance, and leave entitlements. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules.

Salaries and benefits paid by IDLO to employees are exempt from taxation in Italy.  IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

Applications will be screened on rolling basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

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

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.