Job Description
Devex Talent Solutions is assisting a leading international financial institution in the search for a senior legal professional. The role will be based in the Middle East and will provide strategic and operational legal advice while ensuring compliance with all applicable governing rules, by-laws, agreements with member countries and partner institutions, and internal policies.
Reporting directly to the President, this role will oversee a department of 36 staff, including five direct reports. The role will have direct working relationships with all VPs, Department Heads, and Group Entity Heads, including the Board of Governors, Board of Executive Directors, and governments.
Overall function includes:
- Review and assure that all legal matters and issues under consideration by the Board of Governors, General Assemblies Board of Executive Directors, Boards of Directors of the members of the Group, President and Executive Management Committee are conducted according to the norms and standards adopted by the institution.
- Providing legal opinion, advice and guidance to the President in support of his decision-making.
- Providing leadership on the formulation and modification of the institution’s governing rules, regulations and policies whenever appropriate.
- Providing legal opinion and advice on interpretation and application of the institution and its group’s governing rules and regulations and policies as they relate to current operations and proposed new activities.
- Providing legal opinion and advice to the President on matters requiring referral to the Group Shari’ah Board or under consideration by the Shari’ah Board.
- Providing legal opinion and advice (upon request by the President or a member of the Management) on matters pertaining to the institution’s relationships with its member countries, partner institutions and counterparties.
- If requested, assisting in provision of technical assistance to member countries for developing and enhancing their institutional legal framework and capacity.
- Carrying out other activities as may be referred to by the President.
Legal
- Extension of effective and efficient legal services with the aim of achieving the institution’s purpose, goals and objectives.
- Protection of the interests of the institution and its group and designing ways and means to mitigate and manage legal risks relating to the activities of the members of the group.
- Provision of legal services and advice to the institution’s business units on a range of issues pertaining to the administration, operations and financial activities.
- Responsible for ensuring that the group‘s activities and operations are consistent with their respective constituting documents (and other legal instruments), with Shari’ah norms and principles, international and commercial law, and the best practices of international development banking.
Compliance
- Provide legal advice to the Compliance Section to ensure the compliance of the institution and its group’s activities with applicable internal and external international and local country laws and to identify and mitigate risks to its global image and reputation.
- Ensure existence of adequate policies and rules relating to compliance.
Shari’ah Compliance:
- Provide legal advice to the Shari’ah Board and the Shari’ah Compliance Section on all matters related to Shari’ah to ensure that all the institution’s financing, investment and funding operations are compliant with Shari’ah directives.
- To oversee the arrangements for the meetings of the Shari’ah Board and all matters relating thereto.
Corporate Governance:
- Provide legal advice to the Corporate Governance Section on all matters related to the effectiveness of the institution’s governance practices and framework.
- Help the institution’s members have proper and satisfactory governance.
Litigation Section:
- Provide legal advice to the Litigation Section for all litigation matters of the institution and the other members of its Group.
- Supervises the Litigation Section and sets overarching direction.
- Develops necessary partnerships
Leadership Responsibilities:
- Conducts performance evaluations of direct reports and related divisions/units.
- Develops direct reports and guides them in management of their functions.
- Resolves conflicts and mediates disputes at department/division/unit levels.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION & EXPERIENCE:
Academic and professional qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, preferably in commercial law generally or banking law specifically. PhD or equivalent in Law, preferably in commercial law in general or banking law specifically would be desirable.
- Minimum 15 years of prior relevant legal experience after the masters’ degree.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in the managerial role.
Skills & Necessary Knowledge:
- Analytical thinking
- Knowledge, learning and communications
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
- Knowledge of development bank
- Coaching and advisory
- Corporate governance
- Legal advisory
- Performance management
- Policies and procedures
- Knowledge of International law and Shari’ah.
- Ability to consider legal implications of strategic steps and recommend correct action to the President and its Group.
- High degree of confidentiality and protection of sensitive information
- Ability to maintain a rational and objective demeanour when faced with stressful or emotional situations
- Ability to carry out performance evaluations at direct report level
- Plans and prioritizes work tasks appropriately
- Influence others using rational arguments. Identify basis for compromise and reaches agreement
- Able to identify risks and implement necessary mitigation measures
- Consistently works to a high standard and looks for ways to improve current working practices and processes for the benefit of customers and the bank
- Ability to inspire and influence paired with high ethical standards and willingness to be held accountable
Languages: English: Mandatory; Arabic: Mandatory; French: Preferred
