Senior Counsel (NonSovereign)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

This position is assigned within Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB’s legal department. OGC is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to ADB’s Board of Directors, its Management and client departments on operational and administrative matters, and advises on methods to limit ADB’s risk exposure appropriately. It prepares or reviews documents that create and define the legal rights or obligations of ADB, including financing and investment contracts.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

The position title on appointment is “Senior Counsel”.

Job Purpose

The Senior Counsel supports OGC in achieving its key result areas by contributing to one or more of the following activities: processing, negotiating, and administration of nonsovereign projects; managing credit and legal risks; undertaking or supporting technical assistance (TA) projects; law, policy and reform; supporting OGC in reviewing and supporting policy initiatives in ADB (including operational efficiency initiatives) and the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed nonsovereign projects. It works within general policies, principles and goals, and works directly with clients. The incumbent will report to the Assistant General Counsel and will supervise one or more National and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

a. Operational Support

• Lead in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating and administering of ADB’s investments into private equity funds.
• As required, also lead in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating and administering of transaction advisory and other nonsovereign projects, equity investments and guarantees, and TA projects, particularly involving more complex, non-routine and possibly moderate to high-risk matters.
• Draft legal documentation for such projects, including as necessary mandate documents, project documentation and loan, guarantee and equity documentation.
• Resolve complex issues, and mitigate legal risk in projects for ADB.
• Assist with credit approval, loan restructuring and work-out matters; recovery procedures, and disposal of ADB investments.

b. Law, Policy and Reform

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

c. Dispute Management

• Lead in providing legal advice in the resolution of disputes arising from ADB-financed projects.

d. Knowledge Management

• Develop one or more legal specialties within OGC relating to a particular country, sector or operational activity.

e. Staff Supervision

• Take the role of team leader and supervise the work of team members.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries, with primary admission in a common law jurisdiction. Alternatively, university degree in Law combined with specialized professional experience in similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience with significant experience in advising on private equity fund investments from perspective of limited partners, as well as practical experience in the formulation and implementation of development projects and the preparation and negotiation of cross-border financing agreements; knowledge/ understanding of the status and organization of multilateral and development finance institutions is preferred, as is experience advising multilateral and/or development finance institutions.
• Experience working in-house will be preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required. Must be able to present and defend legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
• Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position.
• 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.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.