Senior Counsel

Apply by: 13 March 2012

Reporting to the Deputy Director General, the successful candidate will provide strategic advice and guidance on governance and operations, participate and assist in the conduct of administrative hearings and investigations, assist the Board Secretary in Board-related activities, identify legal risks and assist in managing these risks, prepare communications on legal matters, and maintain beneficial and cordial liaison with government institutions.

Duties

• Provides strategic advice and guidance to the Board and Senior Management on governance and operations
• Provide legal opinions on proposed Institute policies, current and proposed legislation, and other pertinent legal issues that may affect Institute operations
• Negotiate, prepare, and/or review contracts such as deeds of donation, lease agreements, construction contracts, service contracts, and MOAs and MOUs with collaborating countries/institutions to ensure that necessary controls and safeguards are provided for the protection of IRRI's interests. This also involves reviewing the appointment letters of internationally recruited staff (IRS), visiting collaborators, postdoctoral fellows, international research fellows, and consultants to ensure consistency and protection of IRRI's interests and notarization of release and quit claims of resigned/separated staff as well as retirement fund loan documents
• Oversee, in coordination with other concerned units, the implementation of agreements, with particular emphasis on ensuring the parties’ compliance with contractual restrictions and obligations, such as for deliverables, reporting, and confidentiality
• Assist the Intellectual Asset Management Unit in the drafting/review/processing/implementation/enforcement of material transfer agreements, license agreements, confidentiality agreements, and all other kinds of agreements that may have an impact on the management of the Institute’s intellectual property and its protection, including the stewardship of third-party intellectual property
• Provide legal and corporate secretarial support to IRRI foundations as may be approved by the Board and to liaise with the local staff, legal counsels, and corporate secretaries of these foundations
• Assist the Board Secretary in Board-related activities
• Conduct, or assist in the conduct of, hearings and investigations of cases referred to Legal Services and to give advice on appropriate administrative sanctions and such other courses of action, with particular emphasis on procedural and substantive due process requirements. Along the same line, to assist the External Legal Counsel in handling cases referred to the latter to ensure that all the information and documents requested from IRRI are available
• Prepare communications on legal matters and to maintain beneficial and cordial liaison with government institutions such as the DFA and DOLE to ensure prompt action on IRRI requests
• Act as Secretary and focal point of Procurement Committee
• Identify legal risks and benefits and assist IRRI management in managing these risks
• Represent IRRI in external meetings, domestically and internationally
• Participate actively in Institute committees, such as the IRRI-UPLB Joint Management Committee
• Handle special assignments as may be required by Management from time to time

Qualification requirements

• Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized university; postgraduate studies in law or business would be an advantage; must be a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and notary public.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in a managerial position or as in-house legal counsel or an attorney in a commercial full-service law office
• Excellent oral and written English
• Excellent knowledge of laws affecting international organizations, particularly on diplomatic immunities and privileges, labor laws, immigration laws, and intellectual property laws; network of contacts with the DFA, DOLE, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Finance, and the Senate and House of Representatives; ability to relate well with management and staff, as well as high-ranking officials; good interpersonal and negotiating skills.

Screening will start on 13 March 2012 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been found.

Please indicate the position reference number in the e-mail subject line. IRRI regrets that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IRRI provides a multicultural work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package. Women are encouraged to apply.

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Interested candidates should apply online (click apply now). Should you encounter problems applying online please email at IRRIrecruitment@irri.org

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