Deputy General Counsel and Executive, Legal Services at Trade and Development Bank (TDB)

Job Summary

• This position supports the Deputy Group MD and General Counsel, Legal Services Department in providing strategic legal guidance to the Group Managing Director and Executive Management Board, the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors, and the rest of the Group’s senior staff; overseeing the activities of the Group’s Legal Department to effectively manage legal risks; and ensuring that the Group’s operations are conducted within its Charter and constitutive documents, regulations, policies and other legal requirements.

Responsibilities

The Deputy General Counsel performs the following duties:

• Assist the General Counsel in the management of the Office of the General Counsel and Legal Department.
• Assist the General Counsel in providing legal and policy advice to the Group Managing Director and Executive Management Board, the Board of Directors and its committees, the Board of Governors, and senior staff members.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Group’s strategic initiatives, including advising on new and innovative instruments and products.
• Assist the General Counsel in reviewing and approving policy documents governing the management of legal risks for the Group.
• Deputize, as needed, for the General Counsel and represent them at meetings and ad hoc committees as may be necessary. The Deputy General Counsel may be asked to chair a top-level ad hoc committee or taskforce and, in that capacity, report directly to the Executive Management Board.
• Provide technical and team leadership in the Legal Services Department towards the provision of quality legal services to TDB by providing internal legal advice on matters affecting TDB or its employees.
• Attend to missions on significant transactions or strategic initiatives by the Bank to identify and mitigate potential legal risks and adhere to the Bank’s policies and procedures.
• Prepare legal documents in relation to significant transactions or strategic initiatives of the Bank, to manage legal risks, ensuring that loans, securities and other agreements are properly negotiated, documented and perfected.
• Ensure TDB’s adequate representation by external legal counsel and otherwise in legal proceedings and dispute resolution processes.
• Participate in the development of the Bank's legal skills and knowledge to enhance legal awareness and capacity in the Bank, through training and presentation sessions.
• Support the General Counsel in leading pro bono initiatives of the Office of the General Counsel, including the capacity building initiative for public sector lawyers in close coordination with similarly inclined partner institutions.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Juris Doctor’s degree or a Master’s degree in Law (LLM) and Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from an accredited institution.
• Qualification to practice law in any jurisdiction relevant to the Bank’s business or in any of the Bank’s member states.
• A minimum of 15 years’ post qualification experience, including proven experience as a leading finance and banking lawyer and at least 5 years at managerial level in a professional law firm or financial institution.
• Proven track record and experience in making top-level legal decisions and advising top-level decision-makers in the private and/or public sector (e.g., CEOs, board members, etc.).
• Strong legal drafting, problem solving, negotiation, organizational and planning skills with the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, manage dynamic priorities, and work under pressure to deliver on strict deadlines.
• A results-oriented individual with excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in verbal and written English is a requirement. Knowledge of another official language of TDB Group member states is desirable.