Chief Counsel, Head of Administrative Legal Affairs
Helsinki
The NORDIC INVESTMENT BANK (NIB) offers you the chance to do banking that makes a difference. The projects that we finance benefit the environment and improve productivity in the Nordic-Baltic region. We are an international financial institution owned by the eight Nordic and Baltic countries, and we offer you the possibility to work with experts from around the world. Working at NIB offers a unique experience that will provide you with valuable opportunities and insights. We value diversity and we are a community of some 250 professionals located in the heart of Helsinki. The atmosphere is international, and our official working language is English.โฏย ย
NIB's outstanding financing portfolio is close to EUR 24 billion, and the total balance sheet amounts to some EUR 44 billion. The Bank has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, from leading credit rating agencies.ย ย
NIBโs Legal Department is looking for a Chief Counsel, Head of Administrative Legal Affairs, with a preferred start date of 1 January 2026.ย ย
The Chief Counsel, reporting directly to the General Counsel, leads a team of legal experts responsible for NIBโs administrative legal affairs. This includes managing contract work and offering legal advice relating to the procurement of goods and services for NIBโs own account. The Chief Counsel oversees and coordinates the provision of legal support while also actively participating in the teamโs work.ย ย
The role requires an understanding of public international law, reflecting NIBโs unique status as an international treaty-based organization. The team also supports the Departmentโs institutional legal work as required.ย
Key responsibilities:ย ย
Allocate tasks and ensure high-quality legal services.ย
Foster a culture of integrity and accountability.ย
Review, draft and negotiate procurement and other administrative agreements and legal documents. Improve standards and templates.ย
Provideโฏlegal advice and support for NIBโs procurement activities and internal operations.ย
Collaborate with internal stakeholders and participate in committees and working groups.ย
The ideal candidate should have:ย
Education: A Master of Lawsโฏdegree or equivalent.โฏProfessional Experience and Skills: At leastโฏ10โฏyears of work experience in contract law (including IT) in a law firm,โฏbank,โฏfinancial institution,โฏor asโฏin-house counsel. Knowledge in civil law based contractual practises considered an asset. Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.ย
Leadership: Demonstrated ability to successfully lead a professional team and a proven track record of setting and achieving targets.
Language skills: Fluency in spoken and written English, working proficiency in Finnish and other Nordic languages is considered an asset.ย
Organizational and Communication Skills:โฏExcellent organizational and time management skills, capability to juggle multiple tasks under pressure. Strong interpersonal abilities, with a talent for building relationships in a multicultural setting.
ย Integrity and Confidence:โฏHigh level of integrity, discretion and professionalism and the confidence to engage with internal and external stakeholders.ย
We offer you:ย
A multicultural working environment with a high level of professionalism.ยAn exciting opportunity to develop your professional skills and gain insights into the work of an international financial institution (IFI). NIBโs unique IFI status provides a new perspective on the financial industry.ย
Competitive remuneration, benefits and allowances.ย
The position is located at NIBโs headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and we offer a flexible way of working combining office life and remote work.ย ย ย
More information about the position can be obtained from Heikki Cantell, General Counsel, Head of Legal, heikki.cantell@nib.int.ย ย
The deadline for submitting applications is 3 December 2025. Applications will be processed successively when received.ย
The vision of NIB is a prosperous and sustainable Nordic-Baltic region. Our employees are our strongest asset in realising this vision. Our core values are competence, commitment and cooperation.ย ย
In recruitment, NIB puts the main emphasis on personal and professional qualifications and experience.ย ย
NIB is a professional expert organisation, and encourages employees to continuously develop their professional competencies while maintaining a sustainable work-life balance.ย