Senior Legal Officer, Operations – P4

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.

The Office of Legal and Governance (OLG) leads IFAD’s governance dialogue with Members and provides strategic leadership and authoritative advice at the institutional level on all aspects of IFAD’s work. In this manner, OLG guides the Fund’s high-level strategic, corporate and operational policy discussions and decisions, protecting the institution and maximizing the impact of IFAD’s investments. OLG is led by the Chief Legal and Governance Officer (CLGO) and is comprised of two divisions: the Office of the General Counsel (LEG) and the Office of the Secretary (SEC).

LEG provides guidance and 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, as well as to design and implement, agricultural development and projects in its Member States. The office ensures that IFAD complies with the Agreement Establishing IFAD, Rules and Procedures of the Governing Bodies and other relevant laws and obligations and proposes new legal frameworks, instruments, and guidance that will help the organization meet new challenges with respect to designing and implementing IFAD’s program of work, resource mobilization and capacity to respond to global events.

The Senior Legal Officer (Sovereign Operations) incumbent works under the general guidance of the CLGO and General Counsel (CLGO & GC), and under the direct supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, Operations.

Job Role

The incumbent is accountable for the provision of qualitative legal advice and services in general legal matters and, more specifically, in financial legal matters related mainly to sovereign operations to the CLGO & GC, the DGC Operations, the divisional team and other divisions and clients. The incumbent plays a role in supporting the legal framework of IFAD’s operations, both technical and supervisory. Regular working assignments are independent and largely technically unsupervised interaction with partners inside and outside the Fund. The Senior Legal Officer (Sovereign Operations) advises and supports LEG and divisions on the programme, goals and objectives through legal research and analysis by using legal instruments and the documents of the department.

Position specific:

• The incumbent coordinates the legal unit responsible for all of IFAD’s sovereign operations, projects and programs, and directly supervises the work of the team of legal staff and consultants in the unit. In addition, the incumbent reviews some of the work of other legal officers in the unit to ensure strategic alignment, consistency of advice, and the provision of high-quality, pragmatic legal advice.
• The incumbent supports the DGC Operations in the recruitment, performance, and career management of LEG staff in the unit, and for supporting staff to identify their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD.
• In coordination with the DGC Operations and staff under direct supervision, the incumbent is responsible for the programme and behavioural objectives in pursuance of individual and Divisional work plans, and monitors their compliance and implementation.
• In particular, the incumbent coordinates IFAD’s legal work relating to all of IFAD’s sovereign operations (including concessional loans, grants, supplementary funds, co-financing agreements, project procurement, project supervision, and other). Such work includes reviewing and advising on the legal aspects of policies, procedures, including personal data privacy from the legal perspective.
• Supports the CLGO & GC and/or DGC Operations in providing legal advice to internal committees and bodies, including the Investment Review Committee, Operational Strategy and Policy Guidance Committee (OSC), the Evaluations Sub-Committee of the Executive Board, the Executive Board, and the Governing Council, as well as assistance in resolving related procedural and substantive legal issues.

Key Functions and Results

1. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Conducts, and/or reviews, research on a wide range of legal issues relating to the functions, structure, and activities of the Fund, including those of a more complex nature. Provides interpretation of legal instruments, such as treaties, constitutions, statutes, policies, rules and regulations and drafts/reviews borrowing, lending and grant agreements related to sovereign operations and other legal materials relevant to IFAD’s work. This will include but is not limited to the participation, on behalf of the CLGO & GC and DGC Operations, in the development of new products, internal policies and procedures, and model documents.

2. LEGAL ADVICE AND OPINIONS: Provides legal advice and opinions on all issues relating to the functions, structure, and activities of the Fund, specifically in those related to sovereign operations. Working closely with internal clients, analyses and supports the development of creative, pragmatic solutions within the legal framework to facilitate the work of the Fund. Provides legal advice to internal committees and bodies, as well as detailed legal analyses and briefing memoranda for the CLGO & GC and DGC Operations.

3. LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS: Prepares, and reviews drafts of legal instruments and documents, such as agreements, contracts, internal rules and regulations, and other legal materials related to IFAD’s operations, including legal aspects of the design and implementation of sovereign operations, supplementary funds, and other projects. Assists the DGC Operations in the establishment and maintenance of a clear and transparent rule system for IFAD’s operations and in drafting policies and procedures.

4. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Contributes to the sharing of legal knowledge and precedents in LEG relating to IFAD’s legal framework, operations, and institutional matters, through providing technical support to more junior Legal Officers, and by ensuring that legal opinions and instruments prepared are readily available for use by colleagues through proper entry in the legal files and/or database of LEG, as appropriate. Seeks to identify best practices for use by the Division. This will include but is not limited to assisting in training internal clients and staff and coordinating activities with other multilaterals/IFIs on policy and institutional issues.

5. REPRESENTATION: To the extent authorized by the President or CLGO & General Counsel, negotiates agreements on behalf of the Fund. Liaises with counterparts in other organizations and, as appropriate, with representatives of Member States. Representation may also include preparing briefs and other documents before international standard-setting entities.

6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of assigned IFAD resources, including a team of legal staff whom the incumbent directly supervises. The incumbent also directly supervises some of the work of Legal Officers, as well as support staff. Among other functions, the incumbent may be required to hire and supervise outside counsel.

Position specifics:

• The incumbent coordinates the team responsible for IFAD’s legal work relating to all of IFAD’s sovereign operations (including concessional loans, grants, supplementary funds, co-financing agreements, project procurement, project supervision, and other). Such work includes reviewing and advising on the legal aspects of policies, procedures, including personal data privacy from the legal perspective.
• Supports the CLGO & GC and/or the DGC Operations in providing legal advice to internal committees and bodies, including the Investment Review Committee, the OSC, the Evaluations sub-committee of the Executive Board, the Executive Board, and the Governing Council, as well as assistance in resolving related procedural and substantive legal issues. The incumbent prepares detailed briefing notes for the CLGO & GC and/or the DGC Operations and assists in resolving procedural and substantive legal issues at meetings. This work includes but is not limited to sovereign operation proposals, advising on IFAD’s sovereign operations guidelines and procedures, providing consistency and advice to IFAD’s highest-level governing bodies, including the Executive Board and Governing Council.
• The incumbent performs other related duties as assigned by the CLGO & GC or DGC Operations, which may include legal work related to project procurement, personal data privacy, and others, and builds relationships with Member States, other international financial institutions, international organizations, co-financing entities, foundations, and other entities.

Key Performance Indicators

The incumbent is recognized in their field both within the Fund, and thus the impact of work performed is considered specialized; the incumbent supports the development of new approaches that impact directly on the approach, structure and content of legal studies in matters of a sensitive or unprecedented nature, as well as of the official interpretation of legal instruments.

Working Relationships

Representational functions of the incumbent include, where delegated by the CLGO & GC or DGC Operations, participating in the negotiation of agreements and contracts, presenting IFAD’s position in meetings with other international financial institutions, financial markets counterparties, UN organizations and agencies and working groups, and liaising with external parties. Such functions may also include, when delegated the authority, representing the Fund in negotiating agreements, loans, grants, supplementary funds and others. The incumbent also represents LEG on internal committees and at interdepartmental meetings.

Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts at senior levels to resolve problems and to draft legal advice and interpretations. Contacts may include providing advice on matters of law to competent authorities, delegations, bodies, other legal offices of the United Nations common system. In a consultative and advisory capacity, they provide expert advice on the Fund’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations – in particular in relation to funding and investment management IFAD project and operations activities.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies: Level 2

• Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating – Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership – Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients – Contributes to a client-focused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff – Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information – Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making – Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development – Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working – Fosters a cohesive team environment

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, economic or other related legal field
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
• *For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least 8 years of progressively more responsible legal experience with an international or national organization, law firm or international financial institution (IFI), in the provision of legal advice on national or international law, including relevant experience in loan and grant project law issues and the representation of the organization in negotiations with Member States, private sector entities, foundations and/or other parties.
• Proven experience in supervisory oversight of a team of lawyers in an international organization, IFI, or law firm, with excellent evidenced feedback on managerial/supervisory skills.
• Progressively more senior legal experience in international development law matters would be an asset.
• Proven experience in value-added, effective knowledge management and learning within a legal department.
• Strong network among other multilateral development financial institutions is preferred.

Certifications:

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

Languages:

• Required: English (4 – Excellent) and a second IFAD official language: French, Spanish or Arabic (4 – Excellent)

Skills:

• Topical expertise – Project Operations. Experience designing, negotiating, drafting and implementing sovereign and private sector financing operations in the developing world
• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD’s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• IFAD governance & mandate: In-depth knowledge of IFAD’s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts – like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Resource mobilization: Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN
• UN and IFI documentation & processes: Knowledge of the relevant policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on document processing and distribution within the UN and other IFIs
• Project coordination: Identification of key priorities, ability to work with others, coordinate and structure work to meet deadlines and adjust workplan/resource allocation when needed; identification and management of project-related risks
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD’s activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle

Other Information

Representatives or alternate representatives of Member States on the IFAD Executive Board, Governors or alternate governors to the IFAD Governing Council and other Member States Permanent Representatives and their Alternates to IFAD (collectively IFAD Member States Representatives) who apply for or take up any type of employment with IFAD may do so only after a twelve-month period has elapsed after the effective date of cessation of their IFAD Member States Representatives responsibilities as established in the notification of termination of functions communicated through the official channels.

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.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org

In accordance with IFADs provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFADs remuneration package, please visit IFADs compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements. See here.

Long-listed candidates will be required to participate in a pre-screening interview. Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a technical and competency-based interview and may be required to take a written test and/or to deliver a presentation.

Non-selected candidates who have been shortlisted, interviewed and found suitable in this competitive selection process, may be included in IFAD’s appointable roster and considered for future positions in the same job family and grade level, in line with IFAD’s applicable provisions. Candidates included in the appointable roster will be notified by IFAD.

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