Legal Counsel

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is seeking to recruit a national from its member countries to fill the position of Legal Counsel in its Legal Department.  The successful candidate will be based at CDB's headquarters in St. Michael, Barbados.

THE ROLE

The position will report to the Deputy General Counsel (DGC).  The Legal Counsel is accountable for providing a full slate of legal services to CDB to assist in ensuring that CDB’s internal operations and external business activities are conducted without detriment to the organisation and with due observance of its Charter.

The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to CDB with respect to:

·                Appraisal of capital and technical assistance projects, preparation, negotiation and finalisation of loan, guarantee, grant and consultancy agreements, satisfaction of conditions precedent to first disbursement of funds (including, where applicable, the provision of security documentation), the supervision of the operational phase of projects, matters arising out of such agreements, purchases by CDB, services provided to CDB and matters arising out of such activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The responsibilities of the Legal Counsel are to ensure that:

·              The legal status of applicants for loans and technical assistance, their powers to borrow, licences, exchange control and capital issues requirements, relevant legislation and other documentation are acceptable to CDB.

·                Terms and conditions of loans being appraised and technical assistance and consultancy assignments are appropriate and consistent with CDB’s standard terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of the funding sources allocated to each assigned project.

·                The negotiation and finalisation of loan, guarantee, technical assistance and consultancy agreements to which CDB is a party as well as other legal documentation connected therewith are effected in a timely manner.

·                The Borrower/Beneficiary/Guarantor meets the conditions precedent to CDB’s disbursement under funding agreements, that extensions of time required for such satisfaction are given or initiated (as appropriate) and that certification of the satisfaction of such conditions is issued upon such satisfaction.

·                Borrowers and other recipients of CDB’s funds and CDB’s staff members receive accurate and timely advice on the application and interpretation of all CDB’s internal and external policies, procedures, guidelines, schemes, rules and regulations as the same may from time to time be amended, revised or replaced.

·                Notices required under loan, technical assistance and consultancy agreements for suspension of disbursement, cancellation of undisbursed balances, termination of existing obligations and for any other purposes are drafted, finalised and issued as and when such instructions are received.

·                All necessary legal action and/or contacts for the purpose of enforcing CDB’s security or recovering sums outstanding under a loan, technical assistance or consultancy agreement is promptly initiated and pursued once a decision has been taken to recall the loan or require a refund of a grant.

·                In serving as a member of the project appraisal team, attending review meetings and giving comments on project documents, due observance is given to accuracy, appropriateness, consistency and clarity.

·                Assistance is provided to the General Counsel (GC) and the DGC with respect to such other duties related to the legal work of CDB.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Ideal candidates for this role must:

·                Be a qualified Attorney-at-Law, Barrister or Solicitor as evidenced by relevant qualification. 

·                Be practicing or able to practise in one or more of CDB’s member countries.

·                Have at least five years’ working experience in the practice of law.

·                 Have engaged in a general law practice with experience in the preparation of documentation with respect to loans and other financial transactions and corporate matters.

A post-graduate degree in law, or a degree in another field relevant to the CDB’s work would be an asset.

Knowledge or experience in international development law would be an asset.

Working experience in the practice of law in one or more of CDB’s BMCs would be an advantage.

Function-Specific Competencies

The Legal Counsel must demonstrate strong proficiency in the following competencies: 

·                Ability to perform extensive legal research and analysis, independently prepare legal briefs, opinions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. 

·                Ability to apply legal and administrative expertise to analysing a diverse range of complex and unusual issues and problems, and to develop innovative and creative solutions.

·                Ability to utilise discretion and sound judgement in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal and administrative issues.

·                Ability to work effectively with others and, in particular, as a team member or team leader.

·                Ability to demonstrate strong analytical, legal and negotiating skills.

·                Ability to effectively adapt to tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and sudden or frequent changes in priority in order to accomplish objectives in a fast-paced working environment.