Employment Opportunities
Vacancy Announcement
Vacancy No.: VA404/2009
Job Title: General Counsel
Report to: The Director-General
Job Profile:
The General Counsel plans the annual work program of the legal department, identifies the resources required, proposes priorities within the general framework of OFID’s program of work and also establishes, with the other functions, the services required from his/her office; defining in particular their nature, form, and productivity as well as methods for monitoring performance. As a permanent member of the senior management team the General Counsel discusses and advises on legal and other important matters and ongoing activities of OFID to improve its efficiency and promote its growth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific tasks will include:
- Under the general guidance of the Director General, the incumbent manages the activities of the legal department and in particular:
- Identifies issues of importance, reviews and provides advices on the interpretation of agreement establishing OFID, the Ministerial Council and Governing Board proceedings and decisions, and on Headquarters’ agreement
- Ensures the existence of appropriate Staff Rules and Regulations, Staff Retirement and Medical Plans
- Participates in negotiations in all areas of OFID’s activities, and represents or arranges the representation of OFID in arbitration or other legal proceedings. Liaises with law firms hired by OFID and reviews their services
- Establishes systematic liaison with outside institutions on matters on mutual interest, and represent OFID at international meetings
- Reviews and, when required, directly undertakes work ensuring best professional standards
- Provides guidance to directors and senior officers on legal and other important issues
- Defines and ensures maintenance of an adequate management information system for the different activities of the legal department in accordance with established rules and procedures
- Supervises the implementation and application of rigorous forward planning and analytical discipline
- Assists OFID’s management in formulation and development of OFID’s policies and practices; participates to their evaluation in view of their continuous adaptation to the prevailing circumstances
- Ensures that the staff in legal department receives the supervision and guidance necessary to broaden skills and improve performance; evaluates the performance of those staff directly reporting to him/her and generally maintain high degree of personal motivation
- Performs other duties as required by the Director General
Qualifications and Experience
- An advanced law degree from a reputable university in the country of education, preferably at PhD level and admission to the Bar, or equivalent, in the member countries’ jurisdiction
- Minimum of fifteen years relevant professional experience at a senior managerial level including, when possible, several years at an international level dealing with legal and financial matters concerning developing countries
Skills and Competences
- Experience in providing intellectual leadership and inputs into policy dialogue with respect to development, in general, and in particular in the area of project financing
- Significant technical expertise in legal aspects of development finance, and/or track record of research and publications in one or more aspect of development
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to set out coherent presentations during meetings
- Good working knowledge of either Arabic, French or Spanish will be an added advantage
- Knowledgeable and possessed of creative interpersonal, and intellectual leadership skills needed in planning, coordination and supervision
- Good working knowledge of computer applications and electronic communication
- Ability to work with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds