Chief Legal Counsel - Corporate Affairs Division, ALSF at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Legal Counsel - Corporate Affairs Division, ALSF

Position Number: 50106333
Location: Abidjan - Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL3

The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF)

• The African Legal Support Facility (“ALSF” or “Facility”) is an international organization dedicated to providing legal advice and technical assistance to African countries in matters pertaining to creditor litigation and complex commercial transactions.
• The goal of the Facility is to remove asymmetric technical capacities and level the field of legal expertise among parties during litigation and negotiations. The ALSF's main objectives include:
  • Assisting African Governments in defending against litigation brought against them by vulture funds (and other such entities);
  • Providing legal advisory services to African Governments in the negotiation of complex commercial transactions relating to natural resource & extractive industries, infrastructure/PPPs, energy and sovereign debt (“Key Sectors”);
  • Capacity building for lawyers and Government officials related to the above; and (iv) development of knowledge products.
• The ALSF is hosted at the African Development Bank (AfDB), in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and was established by Treaty on December 22, 2008. Its membership is open to (a) all AfDB member states; (b) other states; (c) AfDB; and (d) other international organizations or institutions. The ALSF currently has 60 members, comprising 53 countries and 7 international organizations.

The Corporate Affairs Division

• The Corporate affairs division manages and coordinates relationships with the Governing Council, the Management Board, Members of the Facility and the donors. It is also in charge of Human resources management that includes recruitments. It is responsible for all legal document of the Facility including drafting key donor agreements. 
• The corporate affairs division also provides linkage with the key departments of the AfDB with respect to implementation of the Hosting Agreement as well as Institutional consultants such as the current one.
• The Corporate Secretary heads the Corporate Affairs Division and shall provide members of the Governing Council, and Management Board and Director with key information, documentation and legal advice on a timely basis to enable them to make informed decisions.

The Position
The Chief Legal Counsel undertakes internal coordination and supervision within the corporate affairs division and assists the Division Manager and Corporate Secretary:

• In the organization of ALSF's Management Board and Governing Council meetings and other meetings of the statutory organs of the Facility;
• In the preparation of all Management Board and Governing Council related documentation, including advisory notes, background notes, briefs and presentations to contribute to discussions;
• In supporting, managing, and monitoring legal counsel and other staff/consultants responsible for (i) Membership Affairs, (ii) HR, Administration & Protocol, (iii) Policy, Procurement, Compliance & Ethics, and (iv) supervision and management of external consultants;
• In coordinating input to be provided to or received from other units of the Facility, in a way that ensures a smooth flow of corporate information and optimization of the Facility’s activities.

Key Functions
The Chief Legal Counsel will report to the Division Manager & Corporate Secretary who will adequately brief and guide him/her.  The main purpose of the position of Chief Legal Counsel is the performance of legal advisory and cooperate secretarial duties in the context of the Corporate Affairs Division. The suitable qualified Legal Counsel shall act in the absence of the Corporate Secretary. The Chief Legal Counsel will work closely with internal and external stakeholders. The incumbent’s role includes but is not limited to:

• Advise and furnish key information and documentation required for the effective operation of the ALSF’s institutional matters as well as related to agreements or contracts to be concluded on behalf of the ALSF;
• Advise in matters related to the Rules and By-laws of the ALSF;
• Prepare and review of important documentation related to the activities including the annual report and other progress reports; 
• Prepare and review of rules and regulations for approval of the Statutory Organs;
• Advise in membership issues, matters concerning Law of the Treaties, as well as in managing correspondence with Member States of the Facility and Participating Institutions as well in responding to any queries from Senior government officials’ representatives of such Member States/Participating Institutions as they relate to the Facility; Assist in ensuring the organization of the archive of the institutional files in an efficient and executive manner;
• Organize the meetings of the statutory organs of the Facility, drafting and preparing relevant documents including memoranda, minutes or resolutions;
• Ensuring that, if required, legal documents presented to the Management Board and Governing Council are accurately translated into the official languages of the Facility in a timely fashion;
• Liaising with donors, partners and external consultants as and when needed;Assist and advise in the recruitment of internal consultants, including evaluating their performance;
• Assist and advise in the recruitment of external consultants including negotiating cost effective fee arrangements;
• Conduct legal due diligence and governance reviews of project documents and agreements in compliance with ALSF rules and procedures, so as to facilitate decision-making;
• Assist in the negotiation of donor agreements and partnerships agreements;
• Advise on policies and processes performing extensive research and analysis on a wide range of ALSF and AfDB policies;
• Mentor and assist with the development of team members;
• Perform such other assignments as may be required from time to time by the Division Manager & Corporate Secretary and Management

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Holds at least a Master's Degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries; or a Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries;
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience including in international public law and in matters pertaining to the law of the Treaties and/or in corporate business law. 
• Experience in the organization and conduct of corporate and high-level meetings, Protocol questions and activities and matters related to international relations and ALSF activities.  
• Experience working for an established law firm or as in-house counsel for international financial institutions will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated effective coordination skills and an ability to work under pressure in a multicultural environment to complete multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral skills in English and/ or in French (working knowledge of the second language will be an advantage).
• High level of integrity, moral values, discretion and confidentiality.
• Competence in the use of standard IT software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Citizenship of a signatory member of the African Legal Support Facility.

Application Closing Date
30th April, 2022.