Senior Counsel

Job Purpose:

Lead in supporting the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in achieving its key result areas by contributing to and supporting one or more of the following activities: processing, negotiating, and administering of loan and technical assistance (TA) projects; law and policy reform; human resources, employment and personnel matters; borrowing and investment transactions; and the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed projects. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

a. Operational Support
- Lead in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating and administration of loans and technical assistance projects, particularly involving more complex, non-routine and possibly moderate to high risk matters.
- Draft legal documentation for such projects.
- Resolve complex issues, and mitigate legal risk in projects for ADB.

b. Law and Policy Reform
- Contribute substantively to initiatives to mainstream law and policy reform and the development and implementation of law and policy reform projects.

c. HR Management Support
- Lead in advising on human resources and employment and personnel matters involving ADB.

d. Support for Borrowing and Investment Transactions
- Advise on ADB’s borrowing and investment transactions.

e. Dispute Management
- Lead in providing legal advice in the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed projects, including the implementation of the new accountability mechanism for both the consultation and compliance review phases.

f. Knowledge Management
- Develop one or more legal specialties within OGC relating to a particular country, sector or operational activity (such as law and policy reform).

g. Staff Supervision
- Take the role of team leader and supervise the work of team members.
- 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.

This is a generic job profile for counsel at this level. It is not expected that counsel at this level will undertake all aspects of the job profile. Specific duties will be agreed in individual work plans.

Educational Requirements:

University degree in law and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 10 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
- 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
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Must be able to present and defend complex legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence
- International experience working in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Assistant General Counsel, OGC
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:

• Administrative Staff
• National Staff

- Women are encouraged to apply