Legal Counsel

Job details :

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), established in 1956, is a multilateral development bank with a unique social mandate. The CEB works to strengthen social cohesion and build thriving communities in Europe by financing projects that promote inclusive growth, support vulnerable groups and bolster environmental sustainability.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) manages legal risks at the CEB by providing legal advice to the Directorates, management and organs. OGC intervenes in projects and capital market operations as well as in administrative and institutional matters by advising on contractual matters, following up on applicable regulations in all these areas and managing litigation concerning the CEB’s activity and staff disputes.

The CEB is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide legal advice on a wide range of transactions in connection with the Bank’s project financing activity. The successful candidate will have demonstrated good capacity for managing files autonomously. S/he will join a small and diverse team and report to the Head of Operations, Loans Unit.

Main Responsibilities:
Analyse legal/contractual issues during project appraisals
Provide legal input during contract negotiations (loans/grants, guarantees/collateral).
Supervise the work of external legal advisors.
Assist in the contractual set-up of EU-funded projects.
Draft legal and policy documents, opinions and reports.
Conduct research and prepare and deliver presentations concerning topics of relevance for project financing operations (procurement, environmental and social safeguards, compliance, dispute settlement).
Carry out administrative and procedural formalities as required.


Academic background:
University degree in Law allowing the admission to a bar association, backed up by postgraduate degree (e.g., LL.M.) preferably (i) obtained in a country other than the one in which the main studies were done; and (ii) focused on Banking/Finance or International Law.

Professional background:
At least 4 years’ relevant legal experience, gained ideally in the legal department of an international financial institution, international bank or a leading international law firm.
Experience in the legal structuring of development projects, in particular project finance initiatives (PFI) and/or public-private partnerships (PPP), with experience in dealing with the financing of projects supported by EU funds (e.g., EU budgetary guarantees, EU grants) is a definite advantage.
Familiarity with the legal and institutional framework of multilateral development banks and international financial institutions is a definite asset.
Very good capacity to analyse, structure and summarise legal information; ability to assess implications; attention to accuracy and detail in legal documents.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and work to challenging deadlines.
Sound knowledge of current IT tools, including electronic document management tools.

Language skills:
An excellent written and oral command of English (one of the Bank’s two official languages) and knowledge of French (the other official language), with a commitment to reach a good working level.
Knowledge of one or more other Member country language(s) is an advantage.

Core competencies:
Adaptability
Client Orientation
Communication
Innovation
Result Orientation
Team Work
 
Nationality:
Citizen of one of the Bank’s member countries*

* CEB member countires: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye.

Location : 55, avenue Kléber - 75116 Paris