Deputy General Counsel, Operations, Rome

Job Title : Deputy General Counsel, Operations - Rome, Italy

ID : 25895

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 01/17/2025

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 02/10/2025

Organizational Unit : Office of General Counsel

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Regular

Assignment Duration : 2 Years

Grade : P-5

Organizational Setting

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national, and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Legal and Governance (OLG) leads IFAD's governance dialogue with Members and provides strategic leadership and authoritative advice at the institutional level on all aspects of IFAD's work. In this manner, OLG guides the Fund's high-level strategic, corporate and operational policy discussions and decisions, protecting the institution and maximizing the impact of IFAD's investments. OLG is led by the Chief Legal and Governance Officer (CLGO) and is comprised of two divisions: the Office of the General Counsel (LEG) and the Office of the Secretary (SEC).

The Office of General Counsel (LEG) provides guidance and advice to IFAD's Management and Governing Bodies on all legal aspects of IFAD's operations and administration as IFAD strives to mobilize resources for, as well as to design and implement, agricultural development and projects in its Member States. The office ensures that IFAD complies with the Agreement Establishing IFAD, Rules and Procedures of the Governing Bodies and other relevant laws and obligations and proposes new legal frameworks, instruments, and guidance that will help the organization meet new challenges with respect to designing and implementing IFAD's program of work, resource mobilization and capacity to respond to global events.

The Deputy General Counsel (DGC) Opertions works under the direct guidance and supervision of the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel.

Job Role

The DGC Operations, together with the DGC Institutional, coordinates the day to day operation of the Legal Division's work, with responsibilities that are carried out largely independently, under the general guidance and supervision of the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel. The DGC Operations plays a role in managing and motivating a team of lawyers to deliver results on governance and operations matters in the Fund's work programme.

The DGC Operations will directly supervise experienced Senior Legal Officers in sovereign lending and grants, private sector and climate finance matters and leads the team in the provision of legal advice to IFAD. The role encompasses providing authoritative legal advice on a variety of complex and sensitive issues at all levels and coordinating the advice provided by the team under her/his supervision to internal and external clients and stakeholders on the full range of sensitive and sophisticated legal issues, including matters on sovereign lending and grants, private sector and climate finance matters. Where the advice is precedent-setting or related to issues at the core of the Fund's mandate and direction, the incumbent will provide advice to the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel and senior management on a recommended course of action. The incumbent also supports the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel as legal advisor in sovereign, private sector and climate finance aspects matters related to IFAD's mandate and any legal issue that may affect the Fund, and performs special projects and other duties as assigned by and under the supervision of the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel where required. Regular working assignments are independent and largely technically unsupervised interaction with partners inside and outside the Fund, including advice directly provided to IFAD Senior Management and Directors, discussing strategies on operational initiatives under the guidance of the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel. The Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel and senior management retain authority on policy direction.

Key Functions and Results

1. LEGAL ADVICE AND OPINIONS: The DGC Operations provides authoritative legal advice on a complex and full range of legal services provided by LEG to internal, including senior management, and external clients, which includes but is not limited to:

• coordinating the provision of clear, solutions-oriented, authoritative advice on all key legal issues, including sophisticated and sensitive legal matters, arising in connection with IFAD `s operations, replenishments and new corporate initiatives;
• supporting the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel and senior management in the drafting and review of legal instruments and documents, including those of a highly sensitive and complex nature which may have a major impact on IFAD and its work and including potential amendments to IFAD's basic legal texts, ensuring that activities are consistent with the Agreement Establishing IFAD;
• coordinating the establishment of guidelines for the provision of authoritative legal opinions and advice relating to the functions, structure, and activities of the Fund;
• providing and checking for consistency of interpretations of legal instruments maintaining a clear and transparent rules-based system for IFAD's operations and in drafting policies and procedures; and
• reviewing intricate problems of critical concern to the organization while proposing to the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel and senior management legal modalities and proactive, creative advice and cost-effective, practical solutions to meet unique needs and circumstances, while identifying and mitigating potential risks in the Fund's activities.

2. REPRESENTATION: As requested by the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel, represents LEG 'directly or as an alternate-in analyzing and discussing complex topics with the IFAD Executive Board, IFAD senior management, UN Officials, IFI officials and others which includes but is not limited to: ' liaising with counterparts of Member States and in other organizations, including as relevant with rating agencies and IFIs;

• undertaking consultations and participating in negotiations with contractors and high-level representatives of Member States and other organizations;
• acting with tact, diplomacy, and discretion to foster stronger relationships with IFAD's many constituencies, including Senior Management and Directors;
• coordinating the provision of authoritative legal advice to the Associate Vice-President Department for Country Operations, the Managing Director or Technical Delivery and the Managing Director of the Office of Development Effectiveness, to structure, negotiate, implement and supervise IFAD's projects including sovereign and private sector operations, climate financing, and others; and
• acting as LEG's permanent or alternate member to the following Committees or internal bodies: Sanctions Committee (external cases), Evaluation Committee

3. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Responsible for the sharing of legal knowledge and precedents relating to IFAD's legal framework, sovereign, private sector and climate finance matters to facilitate the more efficient, proactive delivery of legal services to internal clients. Leads the provision of technical and policy advice and support sovereign, private sector and climate finance matters to lawyers in LEG. Ensures the provision of training to various stakeholders on substantive legal topics. Represents the supervisor in outreach to, and knowledge sharing with UN entities, other international financial institutions (IFIs) and appropriate institutions to share best practices, work more efficiently and broaden the reach of IFAD's work.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The DGC Operations coordinates, with the DGC Institutional, the day-to-day operations of LEG showing integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD's human and financial resources, setting an example of IFAD behavioural competencies. In particular, the DGC Operations:

• Supervises the work of the experienced Senior Legal Officers in sovereign, private sector and climate finance matters and internally coordinates the provision of legal advice by LEG, ensuring that the IFAD Legal Framework and precedents are taken into consideration; responsible for recruitment, performance and career management of LEG staff under supervision and for supporting staff to identify their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD.
• Formulates in coordination with staff under direct supervision programme and behavioural objectives in pursuance of individual and Divisional work plans and monitors their compliance and implementation.
• Provides strategic and data inputs into the divisional budget preparation exercises and execution, contributing substantially to the development of long-term and annual work plans with a focus on innovation, efficiency and improving processes and services.

Key Performance Indicators

The impact of key results extends to the organization and direction of the daily work program as well as the strategic work plan within the Division, technical leadership and guidance to the Legal Officers assigned, including senior legal staff, and may include the review of legal advice and opinions prepared on LEG's behalf related to IFAD's mandate and mission. The impact of the DGC Operation's work is recognized throughout the Fund, and legal opinions and instruments and litigation strategies build corporate standards. S/He has high visibility outside the Fund, particularly with counterparts in other international organizations.

Working Relationships

Representational functions of the DGC Operations are typically focused on the provision of authoritative legal opinions and advice to the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel, and where delegated on behalf of the Fund, especially related to the coordination LEG's authoritative legal advice in the operations matters, including the representation of the institution in negotiations internally and of externally with Member States, other international organizations, private sector entities, foundations, and/or others; negotiation of complex legal instruments (including contracts, international agreements, sovereign and private sector financing agreements, climate finance contracts, and/or supplementary funds documentation). As requested by the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel, the DGC Operations also represents LEG on internal committees including the IFAD Sanctions Committee (external cases), the Evaluation Committee, as well as at interdepartmental meetings, and at meetings with senior officers and legal advisors of other agencies and IFIs on matters of common concern. Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts as well as senior level officials, both within and outside the Fund, for the purpose of discussion and negotiation of legal decisions, instruments, and agreements; the incumbent takes technical legal decisions within policy guidelines established by the Chief Legal and Governance and General Counsel and senior management. Additionally, skill is applied in maintaining consensus in meetings, texts and recommendations, and the formulation of alternative strategies and plans for development, agendas for meetings, and possible projects for financing.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Level - Advanced university Law degree from an accredited institution (Juris Doctor, Masters or equivalent)*
• Areas - relevant field of law such as international, administrative, commercial, economic or other related legal field
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php

*For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively more responsible legal experience with an international organization, law firm or international financial institution (IFI), in the provision of legal advice on international loan and grant project law issues, including the representation of the organization in negotiations with Member States, private sector entities, foundations and/or other parties. ekXKdBJ PHMNB
• At least three (3) years of strong supervisory oversight of a team of experienced lawyers in an international organization, IFI, or law firm, with excellent evidenced feedback on managerial/ supervisory skills.
• Progressively more senior legal experience in international development law matters would be an asset.
• Proven experience in value-added, effective knowledge management and learning within a legal department.
• Strong network among other multilateral development financial institutions is preferred.

Certifications:

• Admission to a Bar or similar / equivalent body in at least one jurisdiction of a Member State (civil/ common law).

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

Skills:

• Topical expertise - Project Operations. Experience designing, negotiating, drafting and implementing sovereign and private sector financing operations in the developing world; 4
• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Resource mobilization: Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN
• UN and IFI documentation & processes: Knowledge of the relevant policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on document processing and distribution within the UN and other IFIs
• Project coordination: Identification of key-priorities, ability to work with others, coordinate and structure work to meet deadlines and adjustment of workplan/resource allocation when needed, identification and management of project-related risks
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Legal Research, interpretation and analysis: Know-how to conduct in-depth legal research (on a wide range of institutional, corporate, operations, finance and investment issues related to the functions, structure, investments and operations of the Fund) and to analyse and interpret legal instruments (e.g. as treaties, constitutions, statutes, rules and regulations and other legal materials on institutional, corporate, operations, finance and investment issues relevant to IFAD's work)
• Legal advice: Know-how in advising on all issues relating to functions, structures and activities of the Fund, including legal and technical aspects of the design and implementation of corporate, institutional, lending, grant and investment-related matters; Ability to advise internal committees and bodies on substantive and procedural matters relating to the activities and operations of the Fund.
• Legal drafting: Know-how in drafting legal instruments including financing agreements, policy frameworks (including principles and guidelines), internal rules and regulations and other materials governing the activities of IFAD; drafting of briefs and other documents for submission to international standard-setting entities, internal appeals bodies and external judicial bodies.
• Topical expertise - Legal: Legal expertise relevant to specific role (e.g. in international administrative law, public international law in the operational area of IFAD and on the privileges and immunities of international organizations, etc.)
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.
• Corporate approach: Ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one's area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities)
• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
• Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)

Other Information

Representatives or alternate representatives of Member States on the IFAD Executive Board, Governors or alternate governors to the IFAD Governing Council and other Member States Permanent Representatives and their Alternates to IFAD (collectively IFAD Member States Representatives) who apply for or take up any type of employment with IFAD may do so only after a twelve-month period has elapsed after the effective date of cessation of their IFAD Member States Representatives responsibilities as established in the notification of termination of functions communicated through the official channels.

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IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

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