Job Purpose:

The Legal Investment & Finance Section (“LIFS”) is one of the two Sections of the Legal Finance & Administrative Division (LFAD). LIFS’s main activities are to provide legal advisory services in the investment and management of the financial resources of the Bank including resources mobilization and funds management.

The Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for carrying out a wide range of relatively complex legal assignments and providing senior level legal expertise and advice (considering relevant policies, guidelines and regulations) to support LIFS/LFAD in the performance of its role and mandate, according to the prevailing Organizational Manual of the Bank (as may be changed from time time), which broadly includes the following:

• Support and advise on legal aspects of investment management activities and treasury transactions including the drafting, reviewing and negotiation of related legal documents.
• Support and advise on the legal aspects of the resource mobilization activities, including the drafting, review and negotiation of related legal documents.
• Advise on the legal aspects of cash management, bank account agreements, and contracts for the custody or investment of the Bank’s financial resources, and management of the Bank’s financial assets.
• Provide legal advice on the relevant legal instruments, regulations, rules, policies and guidelines of the Bank.

Key Accountabilities:

Legal Services Provision (Based on Senior Level Input and Expertise):

• Prepare, review and negotiate legal documents relating to treasury, investment and resources mobilization activities of the Bank (including but not limited to: financing agreements, co-financing agreements, syndication documents, equity and funds investment documents, treasury documents, term-sheets, waiver requests, Sukuk and treasury documentation, MoUs and cooperation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, engagement letters, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, management agreements, co-investment agreements, subscription agreements, custody agreements, retainer documents, security documents, capital market and transaction specific documents, Shariah compliant derivatives /hedging documentation, documentation pertaining to asset liability and risk management related transactions/activities. cash management, bank account agreements, etc.).
• Advise on legal aspects of transactions structures and related legal documentation pertinent to treasury, investment, and resources mobilization activities of the Bank, in light of the Bank’s policies and practice as well as applicable laws.
• Advise on the Bank’s compliance with the applicable laws and regulations relating and keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect particularly the Bank’ treasury, investment and resources mobilization activities.
• Coordinate the engagement of external legal counsels in relation to the investment, treasury and resources mobilization activities of the Bank.
• Provide legal support for the implementation and monitoring of projects after signing and disbursement, including advising on waiver requests, approval requests and project workouts.
• Liaise with legal functions/counsels of counterparties as and when needed.
• Prepare legal note after reviewing and commenting on the Concept Proposals at the concept review stage and participate in the relevant meetings.
• Participate in the project appraisal and undertake the required legal due diligence (with or without the assistance of an external legal counsel, as the case may be).
• Prepare and/or coordinate and review legal due diligence reports submitted by external counsel and prepare Legal Note on key legal issues for the attention of the concerned business unit/authority for each project.
• Review and assist in finalizing the legal aspects of financing proposals and presentations to the relevant committees/authorities.
• Review and advise on the documentary evidence submitted towards fulfilment of conditions precedent for disbursement.
• Provide legal support in relation to the implementation and monitoring of projects or transactions post-financial close including advising on waiver requests, consents and approvals and project workouts (restructuring/rescheduling) amongst others.
• Assist and advise on the legal aspects of/negotiating, documenting, signing, and implementing restructuring/rescheduling terms and conditions in respect of distressed and non-performing financed assets.
• Any other legal services/tasks that may be required in respect of the functions and role of the Section/Division.

Operational Excellence & Knowledge Share:

• Keeps abreast with the latest developments, regulations and leading practices in the field and proposes necessary improvements.
• Propose and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of the related transactions, projects and activities.
• legal expertise, research, and knowledge services, and guidance relating to relevant areas of expertise.
• Support in the preparation and submission of periodic reports as per management requirements.

Academic and professional qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in law.
• Admissibility to the bar (or diploma to practice law) of a Member Country or any other jurisdiction acceptable to IsDB.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Corporate Law including corporate finance law, Development and Public International Law.
• Experience in International / Islamic Banking and Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Capital market transactions, International Finance is highly preferred.
• Master’s degree / PhD in relevant field is preferred.

Skills & Necessary Knowledge:

• Legal advisory
• Legal drafting and contracting
• Legal service delivery
• Regional Law and Shariah Compliance Norms
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Crisis management
• People management
• Analytical thinking
• Problem solving
• Attention to detail.
• MS Office skills.

Languages:

• English – Mandatory
• Arabic – Preferred
• French – Preferred