Chief Legal Counsel (Private Sector Operations) - General Counsel and Legal Services Department

• Position title: Chief Legal Counsel (Private Sector Operations) - General Counsel and Legal Services Department
• Grade: PL-3
• Position N°: 5382 (SAP 50052150)
• Reference: ADB/12/52
• Publication date: 08/08/2012
• Closing date: 27/08/2012

Objectives

The principal objective of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department (GECL) is to protect the interests of the Bank and to insulate the Bank from legal liability. GECL provides legal support and advice to the Boards of the Bank Group, to the President and Vice-Presidents as well as to the operational, financial and administrative departments of the Bank. GECL ensures that the Bank’s activities and operations are consistent with the constitutive documents and other legal instruments of the Bank, its policies, the norms and principles of international and commercial law and the best practices of international development banking.

Private Sector Operations Division: The main activities of the Private Sector Operations Division of GECL (GECL.2) are to handle private sector and other non-sovereign transactions and support the work of the Bank’s Private Sector Department (OPSM). These transactions comprise principally non-sovereign loans, guarantees, project finance transactions, syndicated loans, private equity and trade finance, amongst others

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Division Manager, Private Sector Operations (GECL.2), the Chief Legal Counsel will be a team leader in the Division, and will assist the Division Manager in coordinating and supervising the work of the Division. He/she may be requested to assume management functions in the absence of the Division Manager. He/she will be responsible for the following activities in connection with the private sector activities of the Bank:

• Provide technical guidance to counsels in the Division including in structuring complex transactions in a manner that is consistent with the mandate and policies of the Bank;
• Conduct legal due diligence on proposed transactions such as, the review of project documents and agreements, constitutive documents of proposed borrowers/investee funds and review of local legal and regulatory requirements;
• Be responsible for drafting and/or reviewing, negotiating and finalizing all relevant legal documentation required for Bank lending;
• Advise on transaction structure and deal documentation for proposed private equity investments by the Bank to ensure compliance with Bank policy and practice as well as applicable laws including drafting and/or reviewing shareholders agreements, management agreements, subscription agreements, etc.
• Liaise and collaborate with staff in the private sector operations (OPSM), finance and environmental and social complexes to develop the appropriate terms and conditions of transactions, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations and Bank policies;
• Participate in project appraisal missions and review project concept notes, project appraisal reports, draft board resolutions and assist in preparing projects for presentation to the Board of Directors;
• Provide legal support for the implementation and monitoring of projects/transactions post-financial close including advising on waiver requests, consents and approvals and project work-outs amongst others;
• Liaise with co-lenders/investors, partners and external counsel as appropriate;
• Assist the Division Manager in coordination and quality control of the legal services provided by the Division; and
• Undertaking such other assignments as required in furtherance of the Department's mandate.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• 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 of the Bank;
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience with an established law firm or an international financial institution, with in-depth experience in major international financial transactions;
• Proven competence in international banking and finance, project finance, loan syndications, trade finance, investment funds, and public international law; and
• Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver within tight deadlines;
• Possess a versatile multi-disciplinary skill-set, an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and effective communication, team building, inter-personal, writing and analytical skills;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English with a working knowledge of the other;
• IT competence in the use of standard software such as MSWord, Power Point, Excel and Internet Explorer.

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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
• Approved by: Gemina ARCHER-DAVIES, Director , CHRM

Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted. Applicants will only be considered if they submit an online application, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV). The AfDB President reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level. The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply: www.afdb.org/jobs