Senior Counsel

Grade: IS - 5

Deadline: 14 December 2021 (23:59 KST)

Location: Songdo, Incheon, South Korea

Salary: USD 128,600

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

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 190 projects and has committed USD 10.0 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 Objective

The Senior Legal Counsel will assist the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, as the case may be, in coordinating the legal work related to operational matters of the Fund, will provide legal advice and support relating to the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of financing agreements; will conduct legal due diligence in connection with funding proposals; and prepare legal advice on the interpretation of statutes, contracts and other legal documents.

Duties and responsibilities

Purpose

• Assist the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, as the case may be, in the coordination of the work of the projects team of the Office of the General Counsel in providing legal advice and support relating to operational matters and documents;
• Review the more advanced and complex funding proposals and legal documents required by the Fund for its operations, and ensure these are coherent with best practice and the legal framework of the Fund, and draft as well as negotiate financing agreements and other legal documents required by the Fund for its operations;
• Conduct and review legal due diligence in connection with proposed funding structures;
• Supervise and review the work performed by Legal Counsels, Associate Counsels, consultants and interns;
• Be solution-oriented and have the ability to creatively resolve complex issues which arise from time to time in the course of transactions;
• Coordinate, under the supervision of the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, as the case may be, the work of Legal Counsels, Associate Counsels, consultants and interns within the Office of the General Counsel;
• Keep abreast of developments in the legal field especially in relation to multilateral finance; and,
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel and the General Counsel.

Engagement

• Provide legal support to other divisions on matters relating to the operations of the Fund;
• Provide legal support and advice to Legal Counsels, Associate Counsels, consultants and interns within the Office of the General Counsel;
• Participate in GCF’s Board meetings and other events and meetings of the GCF. This may include the preparation and review of relevant documentation, supervision of the work done by Legal Counsels, Associate Counsels, consultants and interns, and making presentations;
• Liaise with other offices and departments within the GCF to assess and address their requirements, to advise on the drafting of legal documents;

Delivery

• Timely delivery of review of funding proposals and other legal documents necessary for the Fund’s legal and policy framework;
• Thorough, accurate and timely delivery of due diligence reports;
• Applying creative solutions to issues which arise in transactions from time to time;
• Keeping senior officers and colleagues within the Office of General Counsel and within the Fund abreast of the latest trends/developments in multilateral finance;
• Providing sound and practical legal advice on the legal policy framework and advice regarding the operations of the Fund; and
• Take responsibility and have accountability for the supervision of the delivery of work product of officers under their charge.

Required experience and qualifications*

• Juris Doctor, LLM, or equivalent law degree (a higher degree in law is an advantage); or a Bachelor’s degree plus additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree. 
• Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; 
• At least 11 years of relevant work experience practicing law in cross-border transactions involving debt and/or equity with a well-recognized law firm, an international financial institution and/or a development institution; 
• Experience working on novel areas of law, or innovative and/or complex financial transactions is an advantage; 
• Excellent legal drafting skills specifically of drafting financing agreements; 
• Experience liaising with, and advising, senior members of staff; experience advising management is an advantage; 
• Experience managing the work of lawyers and interns; 
• Experience in, or working with, developing countries;  
• Emotional intelligence and values-driven work ethic; and 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; 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.