Director, Legal Affairs & Government Relations University of Central Asia Bishkek

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 by the governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, and is the world's first internationally chartered institution of higher education. UCA was created to offer an internationally recognized standard of higher education in Central Asia and create knowledgeable, skilled and creative graduates who will contribute leadership, ideas and innovations to the transitioning economies and communities of the region. The mission of UCA is to promote the socio-economic development of Central Asia's mountain societies, while at the same time helping the diverse peoples of the region to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions and heritages as assets for the future. UCA operates within a framework of values that espouses academic excellence, individual rights and security, responsibility to community and public service, and is committed to ethical and transparent practices.

Based at UCA’s Central Administration Offices (CAO) in Bishkek, the Director, Legal Affairs & Government Relations (LAGR) is responsible for provision of leadership and management to the LAGR team across UCA.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Responsible for the protection of UCA’s legal and accreditation status in the Founding States, legal compliance, planning and operations, including contracts and MOUs with its property development contractors, real estate matters, UCA’s institutional policies and procedures, and agreements with partner universities and AKDN partners.
• Ensure that UCA policies and practices are in compliance with the International Treaty, local, regional, and international agreements and laws.
• Ensure that UCA facilities, programmes, intellectual property, privacy, research, and publications are protected under applicable local and international laws as appropriate.
• Oversee UCA’s legal risk management requirements.
• Provide legal advice and review for all UCA units and operations (e.g. construction, human resources, finance, and government relations).
• Serve as secretary to UCA Board of Trustees.
• Advise on institutional relations with governments in the Founding States, working with AKDN Resident Representative offices as necessary in this regard.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROFILE:
• Advanced degree in law or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience that demonstrates success in the field of contract law, commercial law and construction law, with a substantial international or institutional background, preferably with international organizations or expertise in laws relating to contracts, commercial transactions, construction, insurance, procurement, and real estate development; particularly in an international context.
• Excellent negotiation skills and interpersonal skills to function autonomously and effectively in a multicultural environment at senior levels as well as extensive negotiations experience relating to international transactions, including international financing transactions.
• Experience in formulating and applying legal policy for international organizations and multi-national projects.
• Outstanding English-language communications skills (written and oral), including presentations, facilitation and conflict mediation skills and excellent interpersonal skills to function effectively in multicultural environments.
• Cultural and gender sensitivity, flexibility, and multidisciplinary approach to work effectively with diverse constituencies at the local, regional, and international levels.
• Ability to identify and competently manage services procured from external counsel
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within and outside of the Central Asian Region to address issues relevant to the core duties and responsibilities of this position.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter, CV, and a list of three references (including their complete contact details) to hr.recruitment@ucentralasia.org by 25 June 2012. As your application e-mail “subject”, please write: “Director LAGR”

Please check our website for more information about the UCA: www.ucentralasia.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.