M24232 Legal Assistant

CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

For more information, visit cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional for the position of Legal Assistant, to implement and support the current processes of the Legal Department.

The position will be based at CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, State of Mexico, near Mexico City.

Specific duties:

• Provide support to the Contract Life Cycle Management drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, release, quality control, management, contracts, and agreements entered by CIMMYT with national and international (private and public) entities.
• Perform contract management activities (reception, verification, follow-up of documents, signature preparation, and processing (Cover Sheet Preparation and Adobe Sign process).
• Perform the control desk activities, such as assigning, following up, and processing tickets.
• Support the updating, creation, and implementation of processes, practices, guidelines, procedures, and workflow optimization to improve the day-to-day efficiency and effectiveness of the legal team.
• Support the implementation and roll-out of Legal Department tools to streamline workflow automation within the Legal team and its internal clients.
• Support the maintenance and implementation of processes, procedures, guidelines, best practices, and tools that allow the Department to provide accurate and timely service for our clients and the continuous improvement of Contract Life Cycle processes, including but not limited to automation, improvement of dashboards, and KPI monitoring tools.
• Prepare agendas and attend meetings and take minutes; capture action items and ensure follow-up and prep information for participants; ensure Department tasks are met, among other administrative tasks, such as making expense reports, processing payments, travel arrangements, advances, accommodation, and documentation, reporting of activities, etc.
• Liaise with Procurement to process the requests for services, purchase, and maintenance of furniture/equipment and requisition of supplies required by the Department.
• Keep track of the vehicles assigned to the Department to monitor maintenance needs, checks, and other required processes.
• Assisting with the preparation of lists, status charts, and data management integral to the Department
• Support the curation of agreements and other document databases.
• Maintain a high level of support for stakeholders requiring input, search, and update data and information.
• Manage and track a high volume of tasks and projects.
• Participate in the optimization of processes for legal services processes and guidelines.
• Ensure proper follow-up of entrusted matters, tracking these matters daily in the provided dashboards and KPI monitoring tools that will be used to prepare the progress update to the relevant areas.
• Any other tasks requested by the supervisor.

• The selected candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in law, administration, or related fields.
• The selected candidate must exhibit at least 3 years of experience in similar roles or activities.
• The selected candidate must have proficiency in English and Spanish. English test will be administered; the candidate must score a minimum of C1 as per CEFR.
• The selected candidate must exhibit proficient computer skills (at a minimum: Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat) and a willingness to learn/master other programs and software as necessary.
• The selected candidate must have excellent organizational, writing, research, and communication skills, including writing and communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts to lay (non-legal) stakeholders.
• The candidate must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to his responsibilities and deadlines.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Proactive, Communication, Problem-solving, Achievement Orientation, Flexibility/Adaptability, Multi-Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity, Teamwork, Time Management, and Collaboration.

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).