Employment

1. JOB PURPOSE:

Lead in supporting OGC in achieving its key result areas by contributing to and supporting one or more of the following activities: processing, negotiating, and administering of loan and technical assistance (TA) projects; law and policy reform; human resources, employment and personnel matters; borrowing and investment transactions; and the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed projects. Work within and assist with the development of general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

2. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

1. Operational Support

• Lead in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating and administration of loans and technical assistance projects, particularly involving more complex, non-routine and possibly moderate to high risks matters.
• Draft legal documentation for such projects.
• Serve as a recognized legal expert in providing advice to the President and ADB departments and offices on major legal and policy issues; lead complex policy discussions and negotiations relating to the organization, structure, administration, policies or operations of ADB and any legal aspect on which OGC is consulted.
• Resolve complex issues, and mitigate legal risk in projects for ADB.
• Develop strategies and frameworks for legal reform and/or sector operations in line with the overall strategy and recognized constraints for particular area, country, sector, etc.
  
  

2. Law and Policy Reform

• Contribute substantively to initiatives to mainstream law and policy reform and the development and implementation of law and policy reform projects.
  
  
  

3. Management Support

• Provide inputs to OGC’s work program, and assist with coordinating and monitoring of budget, staffing and training requirements of OGC.
• Assume and discharge the supervisory responsibilities of the concerned Assistant General Counsel during the latter’s absence.
  
  

4. Support for Borrowing and Investment Transactions

• Advise on ADB’s borrowing and investment transactions.
  
  

5. Dispute Management

• Lead in providing legal advice in the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed projects, including the implementation of the accountability mechanism, for both the consultation and compliance review phases.
  
  
  

6. Knowledge Management

• Develop one or more legal specialties within OGC, relating to a particular country, a particular sector or a particular operational activity (such as law and policy reform).
• Provide leadership in professional and operational matters, taking the lead in contributing innovative approaches to policy and operational issues, including writing and review of policy papers, legal research, and dissemination of policy and best practices in a given field.
  
  
  

7. Staff Supervision

• Guide/mentor staff and contribute in the design of professional and operational training or development activities in field of expertise.
• Supervise, review, and monitor the work activities of a group of counsel, ensuring overall quality and consistency of technical work.
• Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.
  

3. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A university degree in law, preferably at post-graduate level, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries

4. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
• At least 12 years of relevant legal experience with practical experience in the formulation and implementation of development projects, preparation and negotiation of international financing agreements, and legal analysis of the status and organization of multilateral development and financing institutions
• Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position
• Able to conduct legal research, prepare legal documentation and reports and to handle administrative and legal proceedings and negotiations.
• Able to learn about and contribute to policy issues in development.
• Able to operate effectively across organizational boundaries in thematic/country teams examining complex or non-routine matters.
• Able to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams
• Able to inspire trust and confidence and promote a strong culture of honesty, trust and openness
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Must be able to present and defend complex legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence
• International experience working in several countries
  
  

5. CORE COMPETENCIES:

Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Able to lead others to solve complex problems using technical knowledge and skills for legal issues
- Applies a high level of technical expertise in work relating to law, including demonstrated ability to gather facts, and to apply legal concepts to facts; understand and interpret legal opinions, regulations and statutes; conduct legal research; draft and negotiate legal documentation
- Uses technical expertise to advise and support others within and outside ADB by providing legal advice that is clear, concise, consistent and comprehensive

Client Orientation
- Focuses own and other efforts on understanding and meeting client needs
- Able to work effectively with clients
- Seeks feedback on the quality of service and makes improvements

Achieving Results
- Ensures own work contributes to achieving Office level results
- Regularly reviews progress to ensure work is on target
- Prioritizes own and others’ work to achieve key results areas

Working Together
- Develops the team skills of team members
- Encourages cooperation within and between teams and promotes the value of diversity in teams, such as in different views, culture, nationality, and gender
- Facilitates conflict resolution within the team

Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Helps staff to find a variety of ways to learn and develop
- Empowers staff to make improvements
- Encourages the team to learn from each other

 

6. IMMEDIATE REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The position reports to: Assistant General Counsel

The following staff positions report to the Principal Counsel: National Officers and Administrative Staff

7. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ADB's multicultural staff come from over 50 member countries. ADB offers an internationally competitive salary paid in US dollars. Salaries and benefits are generally free of tax except for citizens of some countries, primarily the USA and the Philippines, whose incomes are taxed by their respective governments. While the position advertised is for the ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, ADB staff must be prepared to serve in any location outside its Headquarters at the discretion of Management. Applicants must be nationals of one of ADB's member countries.

Apply electronically, quoting Ref. No. EXT-PS09-300(2)-OGC and job title on subject line and attaching application form to email address PS-jobs@adb.org no later than 20 November 2009, 5:00 p.m., Manila time.

International experience will be taken into consideration.

Women are encouraged to apply.

Due to the volume of applications, ADB will not be able to respond to inquiries about application status and will only contact shortlisted candidates. Applications lacking the job reference number and job title or using the wrong e-mail address will not be considered.