Principal Counsel

Vacancy Number: VA 403/2013
Position: Principal Counsel

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent reports directly to the General Counsel. S/he is responsible for providing assistance to the General Counsel in delivering legal services to OFID’s stakeholders in accordance with the legal framework for supporting all OFID’s operations. S/he is responsible for managing complex projects/assignments involving multi-disciplinary teams and plays a key role in the implementation of the Department’s objectives. S/he may represent the General Counsel in supervising the Legal Department, as requested.

Under the supervision of the General Counsel, the incumbent will be tasked with:

• Providing legal services for all OFID operations including drafting, reviewing, negotiating and finalising relevant documentation for sovereign and non-sovereign loans, grants, guarantees, project finance, syndicated loans, private equity and trade finance transactions. S/he will review and advise on the conclusion and execution of project documentation including lines of credit agreements, common terms agreements, participation agreements, inter-creditor agreements, security documentation as well as external legal opinion and memoranda.
• Conducting legal due diligence on proposed transactions; advising on project structure and the proposed terms & conditions; participating in  project appraisal missions as assigned; reviewing project concept notes and Governing Board papers; as well as ensuring compliance with OFID Charter, policies, applicable rules and regulations. S/he will also provide legal support for the implementation and monitoring of projects including advising on waiver requests, consents, approvals and project work-outs.
• Advising on borrowing and other resource mobilization activities, investment of OFID liquid assets and the development of new lending products. S/he will advise on the legal interpretation of policy documents, human resources/personnel policies and the privileges and immunities of OFID and its staff.
• Assisting the General Counsel in the implementation of the Department’s work program, and monitoring of its budget allocation, staffing and training requirements. S/he will represent OFID in any legal or dispute resolution proceedings and liaise with external Counsel as required. 
• Identifying issues of importance on legal matters related to OFID’s operations and conducting/supervising research and analysis on a wide range of legal issues. S/he will participate in capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives including formal or informal mentoring programs.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of the knowledge assets of the Department and undertaking such other assignments as may be required in furtherance of OFID’s mandate.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in law and/or admission to the Bar or equivalent;
• A minimum of 13 years relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years at a senior level with preferably 3 years at an international development finance institution dealing with developing countries.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to interpret regulations, statutes and opinion, with knowledge of substantive law and to provide legal advice that is clear, concise, consistent and comprehensive;
• Proven analytical and conceptual skills; proficient in conducting research on legal and other relevant subjects;
• Excellent team leadership skills with the ability to define priorities, set targets, make decisions based on accurate input, and encourage team to achieve set targets;
• Good interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• Possesses good negotiation and communication skills and is able to work with people from diverse cultures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. A good working knowledge of German, Arabic, French or Spanish will be an added advantage.

• Extensive knowledge in the usage of office technologies, such as Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), intra/internet as well as on-line database management.

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