Want to help make a difference? Want to know how you can apply your legal skills to help promote economic development and eradicate poverty in the Asia Pacific region?
We are calling for applications from talented mid-level or senior Finance/Commercial lawyers to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Asian Development Bank.
Counsels will have the unique opportunity to advise on some of the most pressing issues in international development finance in some of the most dynamic countries in the Asia-Pacific. You will work in multidisciplinary teams to promote sustainable energy and infrastructure, tackle climate change, and make cities more liveable, and strengthen governance and legal frameworks through OGC’s Law and Policy Reform Program. Come join this award-winning legal team and help make a difference. ADB offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package. See salary structure: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/42062/adb-international-staff-salary-structure-2020.pdf
Click on the link below to apply before the closing date of 18 March 2020.
Overview
Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030. ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members. To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
Job Purpose – Counsel (Sovereign)
The Counsel supports OGC in achieving its key result areas primarily by providing legal advice and support for the processing and administration of loan and technical assistance (TA) projects in ADB sovereign operations. He or she may also focus on designing and implementing TA projects under OGC's Law and Policy Reform initiatives and participate in knowledge sharing activities. The Counsel will report to an Assistant General Counsel and will supervise one or more National and Administrative Staff.
Responsibilities
a. Operational Support
- Provide legal advice and support in the processing, negotiation and administration of projects under ADB's sovereign operations in one or more regions in Asia and the Pacific. This includes review of loan proposals and financing structures (including cofinancing with other bilateral or multilateral donors and financiers), preparation of legal agreements, participating in loan due diligence and processing missions, carrying out loan negotiations, review of procurement documents (such as bidding documents and bid evaluations) and handling project administration matters.
- Provide legal advice and support in the processing and administration of TA projects for both project development and transactional support as well as knowledge development in various sector or thematic areas consistent with ADB's Strategy 2030. This includes supporting development and knowledge partnerships, and collaborations between ADB and other institutions.
- Contribute to the development and update of ADB policies and other instructional documents applicable to ADB's sovereign operations, such as financing modalities, environmental and social safeguards, financial management and procurement. This takes into account the approach and practice of other multilateral development banks, and the evolving needs of countries and institutions in the region.
b. Law and Policy Reform
- Contribute to OGC's Law and Policy Reform initiatives consistent with ADB's Strategy 2030. This includes design and implementation of TA projects in OGC priority areas, such as legal aspects of environment and climate change, gender equity, commercial law and private sector development, judicial capacity development, and combating money laundering and financing of terrorism.
- Leveraging on existing and new expertise on these priority areas to promote development of policy and law in specific jurisdictions, including awareness-raising and stakeholder consultations, and capacity development at both bilateral and regional levels.
c. Knowledge Sharing
- Participate in and contribute to internal and external training, conferences and other activities for knowledge building and dissemination.
- Preparation of knowledge products and papers (such as law review articles and working papers) on current legal issues or priority areas under OGC's Law and Policy Reform initiatives.
d. Staff Supervision
- Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.
Qualifications
Relevant Experience & Requirements
- Master's degree, or equivalent, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB's member countries. Alternatively, university degree in Law combined with specialized professional experience in similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a Master's degree.
- At least 8 years of relevant legal experience with practical experience in the formulation and implementation of development projects, preparation and negotiation of international financing agreements, and legal analysis of the status and organization of multilateral development and financing institutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required. Must be able to present and defend legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
- Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position.
- Able to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams.
- Able to inspire trust and confidence and promote a strong culture of honesty, trust and openness.
- International experience working in several countries.
- Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4.
General Considerations
The selected candidate is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.
ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB's standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual's qualifications and experience.
ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Close relatives1 of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.
1Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle.
Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).
In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.
This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not apply. Applications received in response to previous posting will be considered together with applications received in response to this advertisement.