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Principal Legal Counsel - Administrative Affairs Division

  • Grade: PL-4
  • Position N°: 1323A (SAP 50000638)
  • Reference: ADB/ 12/110
  • Publication date: 30/04/2012
  • Closing date: 25/05/2012

Objectives

The principal objective of the Division is to provide legal support, advice, and services in connection with all aspects of the business of the Bank Group, including providing legal opinions, drafting all legal instruments required for the Bank’s activities, as well as representing the Bank in litigation internally and externally.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Division Manager, Administrative Affairs (GECL.4), the incumbent will primarily carry out the following activities :

  • Review, negotiate, and prepare contracts for the acquisition/renovation of the Bank’s buildings comprising the Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and other buildings in any member country of the bank, as well the acquisition by the Bank of goods and services, consulting and professional services, intellectual property, technology and other products related to the Bank’s Headquarters and other offices, in accordance with the Bank’s procurement rules and financial regulations; provide legal advice and opinions on issues arising out of such activities;
  • Review, negotiate, and prepare contracts for the acquisition of goods and services for the Bank, including consulting and professional services, intellectual property, technology and other products, in accordance with the Bank’s procurement rules and financial regulations; provide legal advice and opinions on issues arising out of such activities;
  • Advise on all stages of the Bank’s internal procurement and contracts management processes and to this effect review/prepare/update/, policy documents on procurements and contracting matters, including Presidential Directives and other Management instruments, proposals to the Board of Directors, standard bidding documents, templates for the provision of goods, services and works ;
  • Advise on legal aspects of matters arising in the course of procurement activities including during tender processes and after award of the contract ;
  • Advise on constitutional and corporate legal issues arising from the interpretation and application of the Bank’s Charter; draft legal documents concerning membership and participation in the Bank and the African Development Fund (the Fund) and creation of Special funds;
  • Advise on, draft, vet and revise legal documentation relating to the organisation, structure, and administration of the Bank, the Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund (together “the Bank Group”) and the relations of the Bank Group with international organisations and with member and non-member states, including matters pertaining to the privileges, immunities and exemptions of the Bank and the Fund and those of officers, employees, experts and consultants of the Bank;
  • Prepare documents relating to litigation, arbitration, other administrative or legal proceedings including the Bank’s internal administrative review, appeal before the Staff Appeals Committee, the pension Appeals Committee and the Administrative Tribunal, as well other proceedings in which the Bank is a party or may have an interest, such as litigation before national courts of member countries;
  • Advise on all administrative and human resources management matters of the Bank, including the drafting, reviewing and amending of all contracts and legal documents and advising on all legal questions relating to administrative and personnel matters;
  • Advise on insurance matters and on administrative and policy matters concerning Staff Retirement Plan and Medical Benefits Plan;
  • Provide legal services in the negotiation and finalising of legal instruments of co-operation between the Bank and Fund and bilateral and multilateral partners;
  • Establish and maintain relationships with lawyers of other multilateral institutions on administrative matters, including the legal aspects of internal procurement and internal recourse mechanisms for staff disputes, as well as relationship with the legal profession in member countries in order to be regularly informed of developments in member countries.
  • Undertake such other assignments as required.

Selection Criteria

  • At least a Master’s degree in Law, plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country; or a first university degree plus a relevant combination of academic qualification in law e.g. Juris Doctor (JD) plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country;
  • At least 6 years of relevant experience, preferably with an international organization or established law firm, with proven administrative experience;
  • Proven familiarity with and experience in the practice of procurement of goods, works and services, including consultancy services under donor funding conditions;
  • Ability to understand and conceptualize the complex problems of procurement of goods, works and services;
  • Proven competence in Contract, Corporate, Administrative and Public International Law, as well as International Administrative Law as applied to international civil service;
  • Competence in the use of standard software applications;
  • Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English with good working knowledge of the other language;

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Principal Legal Counsel - Administrative Affairs Division (93 KB)

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To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.

  • Submitted by: Harold AKINGBADE-TAYLOR, OIC, CHRM.1
  • Approved by: Gemina ARCHER-DAVIES, Director, CHRM