Senior Legal Counsel CIMMYT at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Overview

This position will provide support on the day-to-day Legal operations in the Region, tracking these matters daily in the projects dashboards and preparing the progress update. The timely completion of ticketing systems requests for the review and drafting of various agreements and legal matters.

Duties and responsibilities

• Execute and implement the Contract Life Cycle Management (development, drafting, review, negotiation, amendment and release, quality control and archiving) of grants, subgrants, research collaboration, consultancy, vendor, lease, host country, nondisclosure, and a wide variety of ad hoc agreements entered by CIMMYT with its national and international (private and public) partners and service providers, globally.
• Support Compliance Officer by managing and executing all aspects of case management, including the entry, tracking, closure, and follow-up of cases. Ensure that all necessary information is accurately obtained and thoroughly documented. Supervise the entire case management process, including the development and maintenance of dashboards and reports, to guarantee that complaints are processed efficiently and accurately, adhering to the highest standards of efficiency, accurateness, quality and timeliness.
• Support Compliance Officer in the implementation and monitoring of CIMMYT's global compliance program, ensuring alignment with relevant policies, codes of conduct, and internal communications. Contribute to the development and delivery of training programs to enhance understanding and adherence to compliance requirements across the organization.
• Research and analyze treaties, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures from a variety of legal areas and jurisdictions where CIMMYT operates to ensure its compliance; provide legal counsel and advice in diverse areas, including all areas related to corporate, criminal, regulatory, labor, tax, administrative, and litigation legislation; draft legal opinions, notes, letters, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Ensure proper follow-up of entrusted matters, tracking these in the provided dashboards and KPI monitoring tools that will be used to prepare the progress update to the relevant areas and the timely completion of service ticketing systems requests for the review and drafting of various agreements and legal matters.
• Ensure CIMMYT remains compliant with legal and regulatory requirements in the Region. This includes offering legal support and expert advice on matters related to privacy and data protection, research ethics, occupational health and safety, phytosanitary standards, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and chapters to develop and implement policies and procedures aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical practices in CIMMYT's research and operational activities, advising CIMMYT on potential impact and compliance strategies.
• Provide legal support for updating, developing, and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and other operational changes necessary to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and assess legal risks associated with CIMMYT activities and operations and develop risk management strategies to mitigate legal liabilities and safeguard the CIMMYT interest.
• Provide pragmatic and collaborative day-to-day legal advice to assist the business in achieving its goals/objectives legally, compliantly, and ethically and support higher-level legal counsel.
• Maintain, improve, implement, and monitor processes, procedures, guidelines, best practices, and tools that allow the Department to provide accurate and timely services.
• Support the corporate governance functions, issuance, and management of power of attorney, drafting, formalizing minutes, and other CIMMYT Statutory obligations.
• Provide legal support with respect to institutional compliance in the context of all legislation arising from different legal frameworks.
• Support the Compliance Function, particularly for case management (entry, closing, follow-up, etc.) in coordination with HR, ensuring that all of the information required is obtained and properly documented, including filing the dashboards and reports necessary to ensure complaints are processed in a timely manner.
• Represent CIMMYT before different Government Agencies. Represent the Legal Department and CIMMYT before different authorities and forums.
• Support drafting, reviewing, implementing, communicating, and updating CIMMYT's legal policies and procedures.
• Prepare educational materials for Staff and stakeholders to support institutional research policies and procedures. Support the drafting, review, implementation, communication, and update of CIMMYT's legal policies and procedures. Prepare guides, training materials, and training on the Contract Life Cycle and tools offered by the Legal Department.
• Collaborate with Finance and provide counsel regarding legal implications in connection to new tax regulations.
• Provide legal advice on labor and employment-related policies, regional and local laws, and regulations, conduct legal research, and advise on potential legal risks.
• Perform other related tasks within the job level as may be required by the supervisor.

Requirements

• The selected candidate must have a Degree in Law and  a master’s degree/LL.M
• At least 8 years of proven experience working in a similar position as in-house legal counsel; regulatory and compliance functions is a plus.
• Additional experience or knowledge in areas related to agriculture research and development in the private and/or public sectors is an advantage.
• Ability to provide timely and efficient legal and business advice at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of matters at any given time, work well under pressure, successfully handle and prioritize multiple competing assignments, and effectively manage deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts in a plain manner to lay (non-legal) stakeholders.
• Enough computer skills (at a minimum: Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat) and willingness to learn/master other programs and software as necessary.
• High ethical standards with a strong commitment to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion.
• Detailed accuracy, acute sensitivity to the importance of time urgency, exceptional anticipation skills, and an enviable personal touch. Demonstrate consistent follow-up to ensure task completion. Consistently operate with urgency while not losing sight of the detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate precisely and professionally with internal and external sources.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish. English will be tested, and candidates should score a minimum of C2 on CEFR.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Time Management, Flexibility/Adaptability, Customer Orientation, Proactivity, Teamwork, Achievement Orientation, Problem-Solving, and Multi-Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity.