African Development Bank: Senior Legal Counsel, ALSF

The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) is an international organisation established and endowed with an independent legal personality under the laws of the state parties to the Agreement Establishing the ALSF. The ALSF’s main objectives include: (i) assisting African Governments in defending against litigation brought against them by vulture funds (and such other entities); (ii) providing legal advisory services to African Governments in the negotiation of complex commercial transactions related to extractive resources, infrastructure, PPPs, debt and related commercial agreements; (iii) capacity building for lawyers related to the above, and (iv) development of knowledge products. The ALSF is hosted by the AfDB in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Operations Team ALSF: The Operations team is responsible for coordinating legal advice to African Governments. The Operations Team identifies projects, provides technical legal assistance to governments, and coordinates external legal counsel.  Operations Team members also organize capacity building programs, negotiate grant and loan agreements and provide other institutional support as required.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Legal Counsel, and working with members of the ALSF team, the incumbent will be responsible for the following activities:

• Conducting legal due diligence on proposed transactions such as the review of legal frameworks, project documentation and agreements (including financing agreements, development or construction contracts, supplier agreements, concession agreements, joint venture agreements, other public-private partnership agreements, management agreements and administrative contracts, etc.);

• Analysis of country requests for legal assistance and preparation of project proposals and reports to the Director regarding these requests, while ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations and policies of the ALSF;

• Assist in recruiting, managing, and supervising external legal counsel including monitoring and evaluating the quality of the legal advice provided, and negotiating fee agreements (including preparing detailed budgets for external legal counsel);

• Draft and negotiate grant agreements, financing agreements and prepare other relevant legal documentation (including board resolutions and internal operating procedures) for the use of the ALSF;

• Regularly liaise and interact with senior government officials and external legal counsel to discuss details of legal interventions;

• Contribute to the compilation of precedents in creditor litigation and best practices in negotiating complex commercial transactions;

• Liaise with partners, co-financiers to facilitate cooperation with other development partners in designing legal interventions and capacity building programs;

• Ensuring that, if required, documents presented to the Management Board and Governing Council are accurately translated into the official languages of the Facility;

• Providing legal support for the monitoring and evaluation of projects after the legal interventions have been completed;

• Supervising the work product and mentoring of junior legal counsel;

• Assisting in preparing reports to donors and other development partners;

•  Liaise, as necessary, with parties designated by the Director and the Chief Legal Counsel for the preparation and completion of any special assignments; and

• Undertake such other assignments as required.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree in Law, plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law) in a member country; or a first university degree plus a relevant combination of a professional qualification in Law (e.g. Juris Doctor) plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law) in a member country of the African Development Bank;

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience. With a preference for candidates with experience working for an established law firm or as in-house counsel for international financial institutions, with proven technical competence and experience in international private law, project finance, extractive resources, commercial contracts and major international financial transactions;

• Strong skills in the preparation of complex legal documents including briefs, legal opinions, negotiations of complex projects and programs, investment agreements and related transactions;

• Demonstrated effective coordination skills and an ability to work under pressure in a multicultural environment to complete multiple tasks and meet deadlines;

• High-level skills in communication, team building, inter-personal relationships, writing and analytical skills;

• Competence in standard Microsoft Office IT software  (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);

• Knowledge of project management software and SAP a plus;

• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other language;

• Must be a citizen of member country of the African Development Bank; and

• Willingness to undertake extensive travel (up to 30% of time).

How to Play

Submit your CV and Application online : Click Here