By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Legal Officer (Finance and Impact Investment)

Rome

  • Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • Location: Rome
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Legal - Broad
    • Banking and Finance
    • Innovations for Sustainable Development
    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
    • Impact investing, Social venture capital
  • Closing Date: Closed

Organizational Setting

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.

Corporate Services Support Group (CSSG) comprises of:  (i) Office of the President and the Vice-Presidents (OPV) (ii) Office of the General Counsel (LEG), (iii) Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO); (iv) Office of Strategic Budgeting (OSB), (v)  Quality Assurance Group (QAG), (vi) Change, Delivery and Innovation Unit (CDI); (vii) Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO) and (viii) Ethics Office (ETH), a stand-alone unit.

The Office of the General Counsel (LEG) provides advice to IFAD's Management and Governing Bodies on all legal aspects of IFAD's operations and administration as IFAD strives to mobilize resources for agricultural development in its Member States. LEG provides legal advice in relation to the project-related operations of the Fund and holds the responsibility for drafting and negotiating the agreements with IFAD’s borrowing Member States and non-governmental organizations that provide the legal framework for project implementation. Legal Counsel works directly with Country Portfolio Managers and the other members of Project Development Teams to provide legal advice on project design and implementation. In addition to project work, LEG provides legal advice on a broad range of institutional and corporate/administrative issues. These include the interpretation, implementation and periodic revision of IFAD’s Basic Documents, the functioning of its Governing Bodies, the investment of its Reserve Fund and all legal aspects and implications relating to HR issues, procurement and privileges and immunity. LEG also represents IFAD at any judicial or extrajudicial litigation before national and international courts and tribunals. The Office of the General Counsel is directly accountable to the President of IFAD.

The incumbent works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Associate Vice-President and General Counsel (AVP&GC) and the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel (DGC) and a Senior Legal Officer.

Job Role

The post is at the full working level in the field of general legal services and plays an important role in supporting the legal framework of IFAD’s operations. At this level the incumbent requires a complete, in-depth knowledge of the technical concepts and tools of the legal profession. They have the capacity to adapt approaches and models to meet emerging needs and to ensure the continuing relevance of the Office of the General Counsel to the Fund and external partners.The assigned work is accomplished mainly independently where precedent and/or practice exist, and any complex and/or sensitive issues are brought to the attention to the AVP&GC and/or the DGC.

Key Functions and Results

1. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Conducts research and analysis, and prepares studies, reports and correspondence on legal issues concerning the operations of the Fund.  Provides interpretation of legal instruments, such as treaties, constitutions, statutes, rules and regulations, and other legal materials relevant to IFAD’s work.

2. LEGAL ADVICE AND OPINIONS: Provides legal advice and opinions on issues concerning the operations of IFAD, and assists departments, divisions and units of IFAD on all legal matters, including advice on legal aspects of the design and implementation of projects.  Provides legal advice to internal committees and interdepartmental meetings, as well as assistance in resolving procedural and substantive issues at meetings. 

3. LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS: Prepares, and reviews drafts of, legal instruments, contracts and agreements relating to Treasury and markets matters, including derivatives (including collateral support arrangements), repos, private placements, resource mobilization (including through grant and member government financing arrangements), and impact investments; internal rules and regulations; and other legal materials related to IFAD’s operations. Performs other related duties as assigned by the AVP&GC and/or the DGC, which may include legal work related to institutional, operations, financial, impact investments, corporate and administrative matters.

4. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Shares the results of legal research and analysis with colleagues in the Office of the General Counsel, and ensures 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.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of assigned IFAD resources, including, as applicable, staff supervised.

Key Performance Indicators

From the perspective of a seasoned professional, the impact of the work performed has a direct effect on the professionalism of the incumbent and the overall reputation of the Office of the General Counsel for high quality work in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to emerging issues and changing client needs. The impact of actions at this level goes beyond the division. The incumbent follows established procedures but has the ability to make proposals to enhance procedures and systems. Decisions are made on the interpretation of legal texts and the presentation of alternative courses of action to the AVP&GC and/or the DGC or other requesters of legal advice. Proposals are made concerning the content and approach of research studies, and improvements to agreements, administrative policies and procedures.

Working Relationships

Representational functions of the incumbent include participating in the negotiation of financing agreements and contracts, consulting with counterparts in other organizations related to IFAD’s operations, and presenting IFAD’s position in interagency meetings and working groups.  The incumbent also represents the Office of the General Counsel at interdepartmental meetings.Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts, both inside the Fund and in government agencies and other international organizations, to discuss and provide interpretation of legal texts and to render advice and assistance in resolving procedural and substantive matters. Exchange of information typically requires proactivity to clearly establish the policy, positions or practices of the Fund.

Position specific: Building relationships with colleagues at UN entities and IFIs to share knowledge

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:

  • Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
  • Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
  • Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
  • Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
  • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
  • Managing performance and developing staff -
  • Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
  • Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
  • Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
  • Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

Education:

  • Level – Advanced university law degree from an accredited institution (Juris Doctor, Masters or equivalent); 

  • Areas - relevant field of law such as international, administrative, commercial, economics or other related legal field

  • Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .

Experience:

  • At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the analysis of legal documents, research on legal practices and precedents, and the application of legal principles and concepts needed to perform the assigned activities.
  • The professional experience must include at least two years at the international level in international organizations, financial institutions or international financial institutions.

Certifications:

  • Admission to a Bar or similar/equivalent body in at least one jurisdiction of a Member State (civil/commom law).

Languages:

  • English (4 - Excellent)
  • Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Good) 

Skills:

  • Procurement: Know-how in the application of the procurement policies, rules and regulations applicable to IFAD HQ and/or Country Programmes/Projects, including for complex individual cases
  • IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
  • Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
  • Legal advice: Know-how in advising on all issues relating to functions, structures and activities of the Fund, including legal and technical aspects of the design and implementation of corporate, institutional, lending, grant and investment-related matters; Ability to advise internal committees and bodies on substantive and procedural matters relating to the activities and operations of the Fund.
  • Legal drafting: Know-how in drafting legal instruments including financing agreements, policy frameworks (including principles and guidelines), internal rules and regulations and other materials governing the activities of IFAD; drafting of briefs and other documents for submission to international standard-setting entities, internal appeals bodies and external judicial bodies.
  • Risk management (e.g. reputational): Know-how in identifying and assessing of potential legal, reputational, ethical risks and liabilities in relation to the Fund's activities; contributing strongly to the division as second line of defence function; demonstrating ability to manage these risks by advising senior management on contingency and mitigation strategies.
  • Topical expertise - Legal: Legal expertise relevant to specific role (e.g. in international administrative law, public international law in the operational area of IFAD and on the privileges and immunities of international organizations, etc.)
  • Business acumen, private sector knowledge: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
  • Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions

Other Information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in 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

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: