Under Article 8 of the Agreement establishing the AfDB, the Bank is authorized to establish or be entrusted with administering and managing special funds which are consistent with its purposes and functions. In line with this provision, the African Development Fund (ADF) was established with non-African states in 1972 and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) with the Nigeria Government in 1976. Other special and trust funds include: the Arab Oil Fund; the Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa; the Special Relief Fund.
Working at the AfDB is about bringing out the best in people. AfDB is recruiting to fill the below vacant position:
Position title: Chief Legal Counsel (Private Sector Operations) - General Counsel and Legal Services Department
Reference: ADB/12/52
Objectives
The principal objective of the General Counsel and Legal Services Department (GECL) is to protect the interests of the Bank and to insulate the Bank from legal liability. GECL provides legal support and advice to the Boards of the Bank Group, to the President and Vice-Presidents as well as to the operational, financial and administrative departments of the Bank. GECL ensures that the Bank’s activities and operations are consistent with the constitutive documents and other legal instruments of the Bank, its policies, the norms and principles of international and commercial law and the best practices of international development banking.
Private Sector Operations Division: The main activities of the Private Sector Operations Division of GECL (GECL.2) are to handle private sector and other non-sovereign transactions and support the work of the Bank’s Private Sector Department (OPSM). These transactions comprise principally non-sovereign loans, guarantees, project finance transactions, syndicated loans, private equity and trade finance, amongst others
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Division Manager, Private Sector Operations (GECL.2), the Chief Legal Counsel will be a team leader in the Division, and will assist the Division Manager in coordinating and supervising the work of the Division. He/she may be requested to assume management functions in the absence of the Division Manager. He/she will be responsible for the following activities in connection with the private sector activities of the Bank:
Provide technical guidance to counsels in the Division including in structuring complex transactions in a manner that is consistent with the mandate and policies of the Bank;
Conduct legal due diligence on proposed transactions such as, the review of project documents and agreements, constitutive documents of proposed borrowers/investee funds and review of local legal and regulatory requirements;
Be responsible for drafting and/or reviewing, negotiating and finalizing all relevant legal documentation required for Bank lending;
Advise on transaction structure and deal documentation for proposed private equity investments by the Bank to ensure compliance with Bank policy and practice as well as applicable laws including drafting and/or reviewing shareholders agreements, management agreements, subscription agreements, etc.
Liaise and collaborate with staff in the private sector operations (OPSM), finance and environmental and social complexes to develop the appropriate terms and conditions of transactions, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations and Bank policies;
Participate in project appraisal missions and review project concept notes, project appraisal reports, draft board resolutions and assist in preparing projects for presentation to the Board of Directors;
Provide legal support for the implementation and monitoring of projects/transactions post-financial close including advising on waiver requests, consents and approvals and project work-outs amongst others;
Liaise with co-lenders/investors, partners and external counsel as appropriate;
Assist the Division Manager in coordination and quality control of the legal services provided by the Division; and
Undertaking such other assignments as required in furtherance of the Department's mandate.
Requirements:
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience
At least a Master’s degree in Law, plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country; or a first university degree plus a relevant combination of academic qualification in Law (e.g. Juris Doctor (JD) plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country of the Bank;
At least 7 years of relevant professional experience with an established law firm or an international financial institution, with in-depth experience in major international financial transactions;
Proven competence in international banking and finance, project finance, loan syndications, trade finance, investment funds, and public international law; and
Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver within tight deadlines;
Possess a versatile multi-disciplinary skill-set, an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and effective communication, team building, inter-personal, writing and analytical skills;
Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English with a working knowledge of the other;
IT competence in the use of standard software such as MSWord, Power Point, Excel and Internet Explorer.
Application Closing Date
27th August, 2012
Method of Application
To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.
Interested and Qualified Candidate should:
Click here to apply online
