Legal Counsel-Public Sector (2 positions)

 

Grade: IS-4
Deadline: 23 March 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 129,400 net (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction
The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their people.

Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies. It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 243 projects in 129 countries and has committed USD 13.5 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.

Position Objective
The Legal Counsel will be part of the Office of the General Counsel providing legal support to the entire Fund on operational matters, specifically on the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of financing agreements; conducting legal due diligence in connection with funding proposals; and preparing legal advice on the interpretation of statutes, contracts and other legal documents.

Purpose

• Review of funding proposals and legal documents required by the Fund for its operations, and ensure they are coherent with best practice and the legal framework of the Fund as well as negotiating these arrangements/agreements and other legal documents required by the Fund for its operations;
• Conduct and review legal due diligence in connection with the proposed funding structures;
• Participate in GCF’s Board meetings and other events and meetings of the GCF. This may include the preparation of relevant documentation, supervision of the work done by consultants and interns, and making presentations;
• Collaborate with operational teams across the Fund ;
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Associate General Counsel and the General Counsel, as relevant.

Engagement

• Provide legal support to other divisions on matters relating to the operations of the Fund;
• Keep abreast of developments in all relevant legal fields and particularly in relation to climate finance;
• Liaise with other offices and departments within the GCF in order to assess and address their requirements, to advise on the drafting of legal documents.

Delivery

• Timely delivery of review of funding proposals and other legal documents necessary for the Fund’s legal and policy framework;
• Thorough, accurate and timely delivery of due diligence reports
• Applying creative solutions to issues which may arise in operational transactions from time to time;
• Keeping the Office of General Counsel colleagues abreast of the latest trends/developments in climate finance;
• Providing sound and practical legal advice on the legal, policy and operational frameworks, procedures and processes of the Fund.

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

• Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree (a higher degree in law is an advantage); or a Bachelor’s degree plus additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
• Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction;
• At least 9 years of relevant work experience practicing law in cross-border transactions involving debt and/or equity with a well-recognized law firm, an international financial institution and/or a development finance institution;
• Experience working on novel areas of law, or innovative and/or complex financial transactions, including assessment of legal risks, is an advantage;
• Solid legal drafting skills specifically of drafting financing agreements;
• Experience liaising with, and advising, senior members of staff; experience advising management is an advantage;
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and directing the work of external or internal counsel and interns is an advantage;
• Experience in, or working with, developing countries; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language, in particular Spanish, is an advantage.

The closing date for application is 23 March 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.