IDB3361 – Senior Legal Counsel (Legal Operations-Asia)

Job Purpose:

Responsible for carrying out a wide range of relatively complex legal assignments and providing senior level legal expertise and advice on legal issues related to the IsDB’s business activities, including public and private sector financings (including Public Private Partnership and non-sovereign guaranteed financing), special and trust funds, contract management, government regulations, contractual agreements, by proactively identifying related legal risks and putting appropriate mitigation measures in place. The role represents the Bank in complex legal issues and coordinates and reviews the work of lesser experienced team members in the Section while providing the needed support to the direct report.

Key Accountabilities:

Legal Services Provision:

• Independently consult and handle legal operations matters of high complexity in connection with public sector transactions, operational policies and operations procurement, private-sector and other non-sovereign transactions, special and trust funds, resource mobilization.

• Assist the direct report in the coordination with the Shariah Unit of the bank to ensure that all legal documents and in compliance with Shariah.

• Negotiate, review, draft, clear and amend legal documents and arrangements of the Bank (i.e. project procurement contracts, financing agreements, co-financing agreements, syndication documents, funds documents, term-sheets, waiver requests, , MoUs and cooperation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, retainer documents, etc.).

• Provide legal expertise, research and knowledge services to advance the bank’s Islamic Finance agenda and developmental mandate.

• Provide legal services and technical assistance to Member Countries in connection with matters pertaining to the purpose, functions and activities of the Bank.

• Participate in the conceptualization and development of the operations legal policies, procedures and programs and provide counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.

• Ensure that the Bank’s complies with the applicable laws and regulations and keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect the bank and its affiliates.

• Act as a secretariat to assist Staff Workplace Advisers (SWA) / Mediators and the Ombudsman in the performance of their services to the Bank.

Operational Excellence & Knowledge Share:

• Keeps abreast with the latest developments, regulations and leading practices in the field and propose necessary improvements.

• Propose and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, effectiveness and compliance of the related operations.

• Provide necessary inputs in the preparation of the department budget and support in monitoring of actual expenditure against the approved budget.

• Support in the preparation and submission of periodic reports as per management requirements.

Academic and professional qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law.

• Admission to the bar (or diploma to practice law) of a Member Country or any other jurisdiction acceptable to IsDB.

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in International / Islamic Banking and Finance, Project Finance, Trade Finance, International Finance, Corporate Law, Development and Public International Law.

• Master’s degree / PhD in relevant field is preferred.

• Master’s degree in Law is equivalent to 2 years of experience.

• PhD’s degree in Law is equivalent to 4 years of experience.

Skills & Necessary Knowledge:

• Legal advisory

• Legal drafting and contracting

• Legal service delivery

• Regional Law and Shariah Compliance Norms

• Negotiation skills

• Ability to work under pressure

• Crisis management

• People management

• Analytical thinking

• Problem solving

• Attention to detail

• MS Office skills.

Languages:

• English – Mandatory

• Arabic – Preferred

• French – Preferred