EADB Legal Specialist Job

Job Title: Legal Specialist

Tenable in Uganda - Tenure up to 3 years

Reporting to Head of Corporate Affairs

Job Purpose

The Legal Specialist will be responsible for providing advice on a wide range of legal issues relating to the functions, structures and activities of the EADB, including the Treaty and Charter of the EADB, the Headquarters Agreement, international conventions and treaties.

The role will be involved in negotiations and will draft agreements between the EADB and third parties.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct legal due diligence on proposed projects and provide comprehensive legal opinions on the Bank’s portfolio. Verify all supporting legal documentation and ensure authenticity and accuracy;
• Negotiate financing agreements, investments and derivative transactions;
• Provide legal support, advice and prepare standard documentation required for the Bank’s business transactions. Such documents may include investment agreements and security documentation for, but not limited to, secured cross border lending transactions, (Project Finance, Asset Finance, Structured Finance, PPP/PPI, BOT or Concession Financing and/ or cross boarder capital market or corporate finance transactions (bonds, IPOs or privatizations). The position will be accountable for drafting agreements that conform to best practice in the banking industry and exclusively protect the Bank’s interests;
• Periodically monitor compliance to EADB’s agreements by all parties including the EADB. Offer legal opinion during project appraisal processes to facilitate business decisions;
• In conjunction with the Work out Unit, negotiate debt settlements; initiate legal action related to debt recovery and realization of securities; and coordinate appointment and tasks of receivers and managers;
• Prepare work plans and advise the Operations team on the cost of legal services, to facilitate pricing of Bank products. Manage own and/ or contracted counsel’s legal fees and operational costs as a contribution to the cost management strategy of the Bank;
• Monitor and study new or revised legislation regarding the EAC, member states and the industry and timeously advise management on their impact to the Bank’s business;
• Take measures to ensure that the Bank’s security register is current at all times and the titles and all other related documents are handled with utmost efficiency to guarantee their safety and security;
• Develop, implement and interpret internal legislation. In view of internal and external developments, recommend and/or initiate review of internal legislation. Monitor compliance to internal legislation and advise management accordingly;
• Take custody of the Bank’s legal instruments. Provide legal support in the preparation, negotiation and finalization of legal instruments of cooperation between the Bank, bilateral and multilateral development partners;
• Provide and/or work with contracted legal counsel to provide the Bank with adequate legal representation and /or services and ensure that all the Bank’s interests are protected at all times;
• Manage and direct the Bank’s representation in litigation, arbitration, and other administrative or legal proceedings, including internal administrative reviews, appellate and judicial proceedings and other matters in which the Bank is a party or may have an interest;
• Provide legal services and assistance in connection with all administrative and human resources management matters, the acquisition of goods and services for the Bank including preparing, reviewing, concluding all contracts and other legal instruments. Advise management on all legal matters relating to administrative, personnel and disciplinary matters;
• Verify and ascertain the business value of all contracts and advise management accordingly and timeously;
• Prepare minutes of various committees including Board of Directors and Governing Council and coordinate the work of the legal office from time to time;
• Provide legal advisory services to management to ensure that the Bank operates within its mandate, complies with legislation that governs it, and adheres to local and international legal framework in which it operates;
• Advise management on constitutional and corporate legal matters arising from the interpretation and application of the Bank’s Charter; draft legal documents concerning membership, participation in the Bank, and the creation and administration of special funds;
• Draft, vet and revise legal documentation relating to the structure and administration of the Bank and special funds with other international organizations; and with member and non-member states, including matters pertaining to the privileges, immunities and exemptions of the Bank and those vested on the Bank, its employees, experts and consultants;
• Proactively identify and advise management on legal risks, propose and implement mitigation strategies;
• Undertake research and provide recommendations to senior management on significant developments, emerging opportunities and challenges in areas of responsibility; and
• Perform any other tasks assigned from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelors degree (LLB) and a postgraduate degree in Law (LLM) from internationally recognised universities in common law jurisdictions. Applicants from non-common law backgrounds may submit evidence of formal training in common law or long experience in common law jurisdictions;
• Admission and current membership of at least one Bar association;
• Qualification and experience in international public law and the law of international organizations is mandatory; Qualifications in foreign relations or international relations law will be an added advantage;
• Minimum of eight (8) years experience in the financial sector and a minimum five years in a senior position in a busy law office or legal services department of a multinational financial institution;
• Must possess a track record of developing, interpreting and administering internal legislation, treaties, negotiating host country agreements, managing appeals and disciplinary proceedings in an international context;
• Experience with a large bank or financial institution, development bank or multilateral organization is required;
• Professional qualifications in company secretarial work, governance would be an added advantage;
• Must possess advanced computer skills; and
• Applicants for this position must be nationals of a Member State of the Bank.

However the Bank may consider applicants from non–member states for the same position on a consultancy basis or secondment basis for a period not exceeding 2 years.

Staff of multilateral development finance institutions and international organizations are particularly encouraged to apply.

If your career aspirations match this challenging and exciting role, please email your application quoting the relevant job title by 28 May 2011 to Executive Selection Division, KPMG Uganda at the following email address: EADBRecruit@kpmg.org.

Please attach your comprehensive Curriculum Vitae including an e-mail address, daytime telephone contact, qualifications, experience, present position, names and addresses of three referees.

All applications should be sent online by email.

Applicants for all positions must be nationals of the EADB Member States except where expressly indicated.

Candidates who applied for the re-advertised positions should not apply for the same positions.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

The EADB reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.

Successful candidates should be ready to assume duty before 1 August 2011.