Apply: AfDB Principal Legal Counsel

By Development Diaries
January 28, 2021

Deadline: 26 February, 2021

Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

African Development Bank (AfDB) is seeking to fill the role of Principal Legal Counsel, Finance Division.

AfDB’s mission is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs).

Responsibilities

Attend board of directors and senior management committee meetings and provide any legal clarifications or assistance that may be required
Ensure the mobilisation, investment and management of the bank’s financial resources comply with applicable AfDB rules and policies
Support and advise the bank’s treasury in the negotiation and drafting of documentation to effect bank borrowings in the international capital and money markets, and draft or review all legal documents required for the implementation of the bank‘s borrowing strategy and capital market transactions
Prepare and review legal documentation for the bank’s derivatives and other risk management transactions, and negotiate relevant master agreements and draft and review individual transaction documents
Advise on the legal aspects of cash management, bank account agreements, anti-money laundering (know your customer) initiatives, and contracts for the custody or investment of the bank’s financial resources
Draft and review legal documents concerning membership and subscription to the bank’s capital, contributions to the African Development Fund and the creation of trust funds and special funds
Provide legal advice on the bank agreement, the general authority on asset and liability management, financial regulations, policies and rules and participate in the work of the bank’s asset and liability management committee and its working groups
Issue legal opinions on regulatory, institutional and financial issues arising from the interpretation and application of the charter of the bank
Draft legal documents relating to accession and participation in the bank and the fund, and interpret and apply the financial regulations of the bank
Prepare and review all necessary documentation for the bank’s borrowings in the international capital and money markets
Review, update and recommend for approval standard documentation, in accordance with market and industry practice, for use in derivative transactions
Advise on contracts for the investment of liquid assets of the bank and the African Development Fund
Review, revise and recommend for approval global clearing, custody, execution and repurchase agreements to facilitate the bank’s investment and risk management transactions
Propose and design appropriate amendments to the bank agreement and other governing instruments such as the financial regulations
Support and advise the AfDB Group chief risk officer and asset-liability management committee on the legal aspects of balance sheet optimisation activities
Provide legal advice and assistance through the division manager to the bank and its operating organs on all matters of finance, investments and reporting obligations to internal and external authorities
Assist the division manager in the selection of external counsel to represent the interests of the bank
Provide legal advice on matters relating to investments and financial transactions of the staff retirement plan

Requirements

Master’s degree or its equivalent in Law or a Juris Doctor (JD)
Six years, minimum, of relevant experience in similar jobs, preferably with a reputable international law firm, a legal department of a private or public entity, or an international financial institution with proven technical competence and experience in international finance and banking practice
High level skills in communication and negotiation as well as the ability to build partnerships with a broad range of clients and deliver results that meet the needs of the legal service department’s work programme
Private sector experience is a plus
Seasoned knowledge in the current trend of development and familiarity with international law, and related matters within the bank and other international organisations
Strong skills in preparation of complex legal documents including briefs and confidential legal opinions, preparing certificates, leading the negotiation of complex projects and programmes and other transactions of a similar nature
Capacity to conceive and supervise the negotiation of complex legal documents of all manners and form that balance the standards and norms of outside parties with the unique requirements of the bank
Experience in applying legal knowledge to deliver full scope of strategic legal services
Effective consulting and advisory skills that enable clients and help resolve their legal questions
Ability to work and deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues
Ability to communicate effectively (written and spoken) in English and/or French