Position: Senior Legal Advisor, Legal Affairs Location: Remote Duration: This is an interim position, which is expected to require the equivalent of a 40 hour working week for 6 months, with the possibility of a limited extension. Anticipated starting date is as soon as possible with preference for June 2023 start. Closing Date: 15/06/2023 Download Vacancy Announcement
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Our research is carried out in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations, and the private sector.
It is a truly exciting time for us, as we undertake a transformation into a more integrated โOne CGIARโ that will allow us to achieve greater impact with our research. One CGIAR is a dynamic reformulation of CGIARโs partnerships, knowledge, assets, and global presence in key areas where innovation is needed to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It focuses on collaborating more closely in a way that enables us to deploy scientific innovations faster, on a larger scale, and at a reduced cost so that they can have a more significant impact where they are needed the most. The transition to One CGIAR has profound implications on how CGIAR and its constituent parts are structured and operate: with unified governance, more integrated operations, a new research modality, and more pooled funding.
Please find more information about CGIAR at www.cgiar.org , about One CGIAR here.
Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced legal expert to bring surge legal capacity to CGIAR on a broad range of legal matters that affect CGIAR, such as governance, privileges and immunities, partnerships, operations, policies, compliance and funding.
This 6-month position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and evolving global legal team, under the general supervision of the Director, Legal Affairs, System Organization, and strategic oversight of CGIARโs General Counsel.
As Senior Legal Adviser, your key duties will include:
Handling a range of multi-disciplinary complex legal matters, including interpretation and application of various legal instruments; Undertaking legal research and analysis, and preparing legal opinions or advice as relevant; Carrying out legal risk analyses and proposing effective mitigation strategies. Drafting or reviewing legal documents, identifying and analyzing key issues, and presenting findings and recommendations to contribute to decision-making processes (e.g.; delegation of authorities from relevant Centers and the System Organization to One CGIAR roles; the CGIAR Internal Rules Framework, etc.). Providing legal advice to the Ethics and Business Conduct Office on matters under investigation or brought to their attention. Supporting collaboration mechanisms with internal legal teams and external stakeholders to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services across CGIAR. Supporting the One CGIAR transition process from a legal perspective. Actively participating in working groups and other bodies, as assigned. Taking responsibility for incorporating gender, diversity and inclusion perspectives in all areas of work. Performing other duties as required.As Senior Legal Adviser, you will work to a timetable agreed with CGIAR regarding the relevant deliverables, proactively identifying areas where CGIAR and/or other external inputs are required to deliver informed counsel and advice.
Candidate profile
The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled and experienced professional able to provide risk-based legal expertise in dynamic and/or complex organizations. The ideal candidate will have:
An advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) in law from a reputable university. A minimum of 15 years of relevant working experience in law, including contracting law, policy recommendation, legal analysis, research and writing, in the legal office of an international organization or law firm. Knowledge of public international law is essential. Experience in ethics and governance is dessirable. Proficiency in legal writing and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions as well as ability to advise senior management independently. Ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent tasks with efficiency. Excellent communication and negotiating skills in English, both spoken and written. Excellent interpersonal skills, and political and cultural sensitivity.Terms and Conditions of Engagement
The successful candidate will be appointed on a 6-month consultancy contract, with the possibility of a limited extension if needed. This is a full time position with a workload that is equivalent to 40 hours a week. The location of the role is remote, with regular expected travel to the CGIAR System Organization in Montpellier, France, and potential travel abroad.
Submitting Your Application
Please submit your CV and a cover note outlining your interest and suitability for the role, as well as your proposed consultancy fees or the relevant secondment costs for the period via email addressed to smo-bidding@cgiar.org, with the position title in the subject line.
Candidates are required to provide at least three referees we can contact (name, organization and position, relationship to you, telephone number, and email). At least 2 of the provided referees must be a former or a current direct supervisor. Referees will only be contacted with the candidateโs prior consent, and all reference checks are treated as strictly confidential.
All received applications will be acknowledged; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Download Vacancy Announcement