Counsel – IS4  

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Counsel is assigned to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB’s legal department. OGC is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to ADB’s Board of Directors, its Management, and client departments on operational and administrative matters and advises on methods to limit ADB’s risk exposure appropriately. It prepares or reviews documents that create and define the legal rights or obligations of ADB, including financing and investment contracts. You will be assigned at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to an Assistant General Counsel and will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

The position title on the appointment is “Counsel“.

Your Role

As a Counsel, you will support OGC in achieving its key result areas primarily by providing legal advice and support for the processing and administration of loan and technical assistance (TA) projects in ADB sovereign operations. You may also focus on designing and implementing TA projects under OGC’s Law and Policy Reform initiatives and participate in knowledge-sharing activities.

You will:

a. Operational Support

• Provide legal advice and support in the processing, negotiation, and administration of projects under ADB’s sovereign operations in one or more regions in Asia and the Pacific. This includes review of loan proposals and financing structures (including cofinancing with other bilateral or multilateral donors and financiers), preparation of legal agreements, participating in loan due diligence and processing missions, carrying out loan negotiations, review of procurement documents (such as bidding documents and bid evaluations) and handling project administration matters.
• Provide legal advice and support in the processing and administration of TA projects for both project development and transactional support as well as knowledge development in various sector or thematic areas consistent with ADB’s Strategy 2030. This includes supporting development and knowledge partnerships, and collaborations between ADB and other institutions.
• Contribute to the development and update of ADB policies and other instructional documents applicable to ADB’s sovereign operations, such as financing modalities, environmental and social safeguards, financial management and procurement, which takes into account the approach and practices of other multilateral development banks, and the evolving needs of countries and institutions in the region.

b. Law and Policy Reform

• Contribute to OGC’s Law and Policy Reform initiatives consistent with ADB’s Strategy 2030. This includes the design and implementation of TA projects in OGC priority areas, such as legal aspects of environment and climate change, gender equity, commercial law and private sector development, judicial capacity development, and combating money laundering and financing of terrorism.
• Leverage on existing and new expertise on these priority areas to promote the development of policy and law in specific jurisdictions, including awareness-raising and stakeholder consultations, and capacity development at both bilateral and regional levels.

c. Knowledge Sharing

• Analyze and monitor global and other regulatory changes, including relevant laws and Regulations impacting ADB’s climate-related activities.
• Participate in and contribute to internal and external training, conferences, and other activities for knowledge building and dissemination.
• Prepare knowledge solutions and papers (such as law review articles and working papers) on current legal issues or priority areas under OGC’s Law and Policy Reform initiatives.

d. Staff Supervision

• Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries. Alternatively, a university degree in Law and at least 5 years of specialized professional experience in a similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal experience in the formulation and implementation of projects (including development projects, if any), preparation and negotiation of international financing agreements, and legal analysis of the status and organization of multilateral development and financing institutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Must be able to present and defend legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
• Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence and promote a strong culture of honesty, trust and openness.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Paid leave (including parental)
• Medical and health benefits
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development
• Retirement plan
• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (for international staff

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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