Vacancy for Senior Legal Counsel at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Application Deadline: May 25, 2021

Position title: Senior Legal Counsel – Public Sector Operations, PGCL1

Grade: PL5

Position N°: 50069181

Reference: ADB/21/065

Publication date: 27-Apr-2021

Closing date: 26-May-2021

Duty station: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Objectives

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries).  The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s), all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Bank’s constitutive documents. The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President (PRST0); Independent Development Evaluation Department (BDEV); Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC); Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (BCRM); Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board (BSAB); Administrative Tribunal (BATR); Office of the Auditor General (PAGL); Group Risk Management Directorate (PGRM); General Counsel and Legal Services Department (PGCL); Communication and External Relations Department (PCER); Staff Integrity and Ethics Office (PETH) and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat(PSEG).

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

The role of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department (PGCL) is to deliver legal advice and services to the statutory organs of the Bank Group and to protect the interest of the Bank from liability and represent the Bank in Litigation.

The principal objective of the Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance Division (PGCL.1) is to provide legal support in connection with public sector transactions and project implementation for loans and grants of the Bank and the Fund and other special vehicles such as special funds and trust funds. In addition, the Division provides legal assistance on operations policies and governance, environmental and procurement related matters as well as all aspects of the business of the Bank Group.

THE POSITION:

The Senior Legal Counsel – Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance will ensure compliance with the various policies and regulations of the Bank related to public sector operations.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager PGCL 1, the Senior  Legal Counsel – Public Sector Operations, Policy and Governance will:

1. Ensure compliance of all operational activities with applicable Bank policies, rules and regulations.
2. Prepare and issue legal opinions on agreements, contracts and other formal arrangements for operational activities of the Bank Group and Special Funds with sovereign entities, state-owned enterprises, international organizations and others;
3. Provide legal advice on projects throughout the identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision and post-evaluation stages of the Project cycle;
4. Assist in the design of projects and programs from inception to completion in compliance with the Bank’s policies and regulations including the project structure and implementation arrangements, financing instrument(s), terms and conditions of financing, and compliance with the relevant policies and regulations of the Bank;
5. Draft and Negotiate financing agreements including loan agreements, grant agreements, guarantee agreements and co-financing agreements with other lenders;
6. Provide legal opinions on the effectiveness of financing agreements and the fulfilment of conditions precedent to disbursement including the review of documents submitted in fulfilment of loan and grant conditions;
7. Provide legal support and technical assistance to regional member countries and to regional and sub-regional institutions in connection with matters pertaining to the purpose, functions and activities of the Bank and to developmental issues and activities;
8. Advise on the promulgation of operational policies and regulations of the Bank related to public sector operations;
9. Provide legal advice on operations-related implementation activities of bilateral and multilateral cooperation arrangements related to public sector operations;
10. Draft Board resolutions pertaining to public sector projects and programs;
11. Participate in project and program appraisal missions and review project concept notes, project appraisal reports and other internal Bank project documents; and
12. Undertake such other assignments as required by the Division Manager, PGCL.1 or the General Counsel.

Selection Criteria

1. Holds a Master’s degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the Bank member countries; OR a Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Bar of one of the Bank member countries.
2. A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a law firm, a financial institution or a multilateral organisation.
3. High level skills in communication and negotiation as well as the ability to build partnerships with a broad range of clients and deliver results.
4. Seasoned knowledge of the current trends in development finance and familiarity with development and international finance.
5. Strong skills in preparation of legal documents including briefs and confidential legal opinions, and conducting negotiations.
6. Effective advisory skills that enable clients and help resolve legal issues.
7. Ability to work independently in a multicultural team and deal with diverse matters in a multi-cultural environment so as to foster effective working relations with colleagues.
8. Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English and/or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
9. Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.

For application details, visit https://www.afdb.org/en/vacancies/senior-legal-counsel-public-sector-operations-pgcl1-43328