Senior Counsel, Office of the General Counsel (internationally recruited)

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments, empowers people, and strengthens institutions to realise justice and promote peace and sustainable development. IDLO is the only global intergovernmental organisation exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law and access to justice.

With its headquarters in Rome, Italy, a Branch Office in The Hague, Permanent Observer Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and 18 Country Offices across the globe, IDLO carries out policy advocacy, research, and the rule of law and justice programmes, operating in every region of the world.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is a dynamic generalist legal practice whose overarching aim is to advance and protect the legal interests of IDLO, while mitigating risk, fostering accountability, and helping to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Organization and its governing bodies. OGC advises the entire Organization on a diverse range of legal and ethical issues. Advice is provided to the Director-General and to senior managers and Organizational committees, as well as to all departments, country offices and teams. Given the high legal and ethical standard against which an Organization that promotes the rule of law is held, OGC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that IDLO is in compliance with all applicable authorities.

THE POSITION

Under the overall guidance of the General Counsel, the Senior Counsel works collaboratively with in-house clients to solve problems, strategize, and mitigate risk. The Senior Counsel helps to ensure legal and ethical compliance, adequate and properly delegated authorities, and maximum protection of IDLO’s overseas personnel, facilities, and operations through the implementation of its privileges and immunities. The Senior Counsel has a wide-ranging portfolio of issues for which he / she has primary responsibility. The Senior Counsel also deputizes for the General Counsel as appropriate, represents OGC on internal committees and with external partners, and works directly to advise members of IDLO’s Senior Leadership Team.

The Senior Counsel is expected to:

1. Dispense advice, directly and through the General Counsel, on a range of issues to IDLO departments and units at all levels, including to the Office of the Director-General:

• Develop policy/legal instruments to support expansion of IDLO activities into multiple national jurisdictions;
• Research and prepare legal opinions and policies relating to the functions, structure and activities of IDLO;
• Draft, review, negotiate, implement, and apply contracts, Memoranda of Understanding, and other agreements in cooperation with internal business units;
• Draft or revise Organizational governance documents and resolutions; interpret and apply governance document rules; provide procedural guidance on meetings, elections, and other matters;
• Advise on internal disciplinary investigations, represent IDLO and litigate in internal and external dispute resolution proceedings and arbitrations, and liaise as needed with external auditors or investigators;
• Represent the Organization in any other legal proceedings or actions in which it is a party.

2. Review and advise the Organization on legal implications of programme activities ensuring consistency with applicable law and IDLO’s status as an intergovernmental organization:

• Advise programme managers and personnel on legal issues relating to programme activities, including on the application of privileges and immunities, and oversee provision of legal advice by local counsel;
• Draft and negotiate Host Country Agreements and other legal documents to provide legal status and appropriate privileges and immunities for IDLO’s country offices;
• Review, draft, and negotiate agreements, contracts, leases, and other legal documents in support of IDLO’s field operations;
• Develop protocols, policies, and procedures for IDLO programmes and activities;
• Establish collaborative relationships with counterpart legal specialists, including local legal counsels, in the international organization community to gain a broad perspective on legal issues affecting international organizations.

3. Assist in the revision, interpretation, and application of IDLO’s Employee Regulations and Rules, Organizational policies, Code of Conduct, and other regulatory documents:

• Develop, review, amend, interpret, and provide guidance on the implementation of IDLO regulations, rules, policies, and guidelines;
• Develop and deliver legal briefings to IDLO employees on relevant Organizational rules and policies including with respect to legal status and the responsibilities of international civil servants to promote consistent, lawful, and appropriate employee conduct.

4. Deputize for the General Counsel, including:

• Provide senior and experienced legal oversight and mentoring in OGC;
• Serve as required on Organizational committees;
• Represent the Organization in engagements with international, regional, and national legal counterparts.

Education and Experience

• A Law Degree, with admission to practice law, regardless of jurisdiction, is required. Specialization in international law is an advantage;
• Minimum 10 (ten) years of significant relevant professional experience is required with an international, governmental and/or multilateral organization;
• Substantial experience of handling corporate legal matters, including legal drafting and litigation, in a governmental or intergovernmental organization is essential;
• Regional / country specific experience from Eastern Europe and Central Asia is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required, working knowledge of French, Spanish, and other languages is highly desirable.

Specific Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Demonstrated capacity as a self-starter with a proven ability to work autonomously, to produce high-quality results, and to maintain credibility of the legal function;
• Proven ability to lead and manage change in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment;
• Strong client-oriented approach and customer service ethics; proven ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;
• Act as a role model and offer guidance to colleagues. Take initiative to share knowledge, experiences and information with others. Accept and give constructive feedback (up, down and across) to develop and motivate others;
• Proven capacity to negotiate and resolve delicate issues in a diplomatic and balanced way;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, able to promote mutual respect and trust, and relate to people from different cultures;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT and internet software;
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate;
• Ability and willingness to travel to IDLO’s Country Offices, as needed.

For this internationally recruited professional position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Fixed-Term contract of 24 months, with the possibility of extension subject to performance, availability of funding, and needs of the Organization.

IDLO shall offer an annual basic salary of EUR € 93,353.- and a benefits package including provident fund contribution (14%), medical insurance, and leave entitlements. Relocation and installation support are available for internationally recruited employees in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Salaries and benefits paid by IDLO to employees are exempt from taxation in Italy. IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications of qualified and diverse candidates. IDLO is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies. 

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and in compliance with IDLO’s policy on personal data protection. In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

Application deadline: 21 May 2024 (23:59 hrs Rome time).