Senior Counsel - Treasury / Capital Markets at OPEC Fund for International Development

The OPEC Fund for International Development is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1976. Our 12 Member Countries are:  Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Counsel - Treasury / Capital Markets

Location: Austria
Department/Unit: Legal Services / Institutional & Administrative - Legal
Contract Type: Fixed Term
 Grade: G1
Job Category: Professional
Contract Duration: Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Job Profile

• The position is responsible for providing legal advice and support to the Finance Department, including the Treasury Unit, on funding/borrowing, resource mobilisation, derivatives, liquid asset investment and other finance-related matters, with a view to ensuring the highest standards of legal advice and documentation, protection of the OPEC Fund’s interests and compliance with the OPEC Fund’s mandate, policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities
Policy development and implementation:

• Supports the development of procedures for the funding activities of the organization, and monitors their implementation from a legal perspective.
• Supports Finance in legal matter implementing the annual work program relating to the Funding and Borrowing Program and ensuring the achievement of its long-term goals, strategic targets and annual objectives.

Legal advice:

• Supports and advises Finance in the negotiations and drafting of documentation for implementing the borrowing program and debt capital market transactions including the issuance of bonds and commercial papers 
• Assists in the preparation and the review of documentation for derivatives and other risk management transactions, including the negotiation of ISDA master agreements, Credit Support Annexes and other transactio documents.
• Reviews and revises global clearing, custody, execution and repurchase agreements to facilitate the OPEC Fund’s investment and risk management. 
• Supports Treasury on funding related issues, including compliance with listing rules, swap and hedge transactions and documentation of debt issuances, including comfort letters and due diligence exercises.
• Provides interpretation and legal opinions on the OPEC Fund’s financial regulations, regulatory and relevant policies and rules.
• Provides legal support to the OPEC Fund’s middle-office following the debt issuance, including drafting of specimen legal documentation to ensure adherence to best practices, applicable law and relevant OPEC Fund standard  and policies.
• Provides reports and recommendations to the General Counsel and/or Director, Institutional and Administrative Unit  on significant developments, emerging opportunities and challenges in the area of finance operations.
• Identifies issues of importance on finance matters in relation to the OPEC Fund’s operations and conducts research, analysis and studies on a wide range of legal issues, including the interpretation of legal instruments;

Research and analysis:

• Identifies issues of importance on legal matters in any aspect related to the OPEC Fund’s operations and conducts research, analysis and studies on a wide range of legal issues, including interpretation of legal instruments, and brings them to the attention of the General Counsel and/or Director, Institutional and Administrative Unit together with recommendations thereon.

Risk management:

• Monitors and signals deviations in the application of frameworks, contracts, policies and processes related to the legal/compliance/risks of Finance operations, and if necessary, takes corrective measures.

Leadership and direction:

• Participates in the exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing to facilitate the broadening of the skills of the legal team and assists in ensuring skills transfers among Counsels within a formal or informal mentoring or facilitation   program.

Stakeholder management and engagement:

• As assigned by the General Counsel and/or Director, Institutional and Administrative Unit , represents the OPEC Fund in any external legal proceedings and liaises with external counsels. 
• Works with external stakeholders (the senior representatives of issuing banks/ investment funds, partners and external counsel as required and authorized officials of partner countries/ institutions) and internal stakeholders (e.g. all OPEC Fund departments/ units/ functions on the subject of legal services and advice on an ongoing basis).

Knowledge management:

• Contributes to the development and maintenance of the knowledge assets of the department and the document management systems and related materials.
• Carries out other tasks assigned by the General Counsel and/or Director, Institutional and Administrative Unit that are related to the job functions

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Law and admission to the Bar or equivalent
• A minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience, In addition, preferably at least 3 years at an international development finance institution/international law firm 
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French, German or Spanish is an added advantage.

Competencies:

• Collaboration and Teamwork - Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders (internal and external), and partners from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to achieve shared goals.
• Effective Communication - Ability to articulate ideas and information clearly and persuasively across various channels and audiences, integrate communication best practices, and ensure messages are tailored, culturally sensitive, and impactful, promoting active listening and feedback mechanisms.
• Results-Orientation - Ability to effectively achieve results through proactive ownership, decisive action and strategic planning. ensuring goals are met within specified timeframes and in alignment with OPEC Fund’s strategic direction
• Learning Agility and Adaptability - Ability to swiftly learn, unlearn, and adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges, with a commitment to continual growth through embracing new ideas, technologies, updating functional expertise, and facilitating organizational resilience
• Stakeholder and Impact Focus - Ability to prioritize and address the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact through stakeholder mapping, ensuring effective relationship management, transparent and timely communication, and aligning their contributions with OPEC Fund’s mission to deliver long-term, positive outcomes
• Accountability - Ability to take responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and their outcomes, demonstrating integrity and reliability, adhering to established internal controls, setting clear expectations, and maintaining a high standard of ethical behavior.

Application Closing Date
6th April, 2026.