M24234 Legal Operations - Legal Counsel

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 which is 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 to fill the position of Legal Operations Legal Counsel. This key role involves leading innovative initiatives to streamline legal processes and enhance efficiency. The successful candidate will play a crucial part in improving the delivery of legal services across the organization, driving meaningful change that aligns with CIMMYT’s strategic goals. Candidates with a passion for operational excellence and a desire to make a significant impact are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Specific duties:

• Responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of the Contract Life Cycle Management (development, drafting, review, negotiation, amendment and release, quality control, and archiving) of a wide array of agreements entered by CIMMYT with its national and international (private and public) partners and service providers, globally.
• In close collaboration with the General Counsel, identify, create, update, and implement processes, practices, guidelines, procedures, and workflow optimization to increase the legal team's day-to-day efficiency and effectiveness, facilitate change management, and controlling costs within the department.
• Identify and implement Legal Department tools to streamline new or existing practices and manage the design, rollout, and training for new systems, including the Legal Department Intranet site design and maintenance. To enhance existing and develop new tools to streamline team collaboration and workflow automation within the legal team and its internal clients.
• Maintain, improve, implement, and monitor processes, procedures, guidelines, best practices, and tools that allow the Department to provide accurate and timely services.
• Knowledge management of the breadth of the Legal Department documents, as well as operational documentation such as user manuals, training materials, and process maps. Curation of the CIMMYT agreements database and other documents at Headquarters and Regional Offices; maintain a high level of support for stakeholders requiring input, search, and update data and information.
• Monitor the flow of legal information and respond to internal clients’ needs by liaising with Chapters and collaborating with cross-functional groups across CIMMYT.  Scrutinize the requests’ status to ensure appropriate follow-up actions and respond to requests’ status to ensure appropriate follow-up actions and respond to internal ’clients’ needs. Fostering a robust relationship with the Chapters involved in the contract life cycle across the organization.
• Track the Legal Department's performance through key metrics and KPIs. Prepare reports, data analyses, and presentations as needed to support legal operations.
• Provide project management support across the full range of legal subjects handled by the team. Ensure the timely completion of tasks, including the daily tracking of matters and updates via dashboards and KPI monitoring tools.
• Scale and implement operations strategies, technology, projects, initiatives, and priorities for the Legal Department.
• Identifies, designs/customizes, and manages IT solutions for client intake and matter management, including tracking and ensuring deadlines are met by all Chapters, assignment of tasks, document management and version control, and dashboard.
• In close collaboration with the General Counsel liaises with Finance and Accounting functions to establish budgets, submit expense reports and chargebacks, and create meaningful reports and a streamlined budgeting process.
• Oversight of Staff, interns, and consultants engaged in the Contract Life Cycle, and coordination and supervision of Outside Counsel.
• 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.
• Perform other related tasks within the job level as may be requested by the immediate supervisor.

• The selected candidate must have a Degree in Law, a master’s degree/LL.M., and Project Management Certification is desirable.
• The selected candidate must have a minimum of 8 years of experience with legal operations and management in-house or similar roles or activities.
• The candidate must exhibit proficiency and willingness to work with technology-related business tools is mandatory; the selected candidate will be expected to spend much of their time working with Contract Management Software (ICERTIS), ticketing software, Adobe Sign, Time Tracker, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and working/communicating via e-mail (Outlook), Zoom and Teams.
• The selected candidate must demonstrate understanding of how to develop, implement, and enhance processes.
• Strategic thinker able to think holistically while focusing on day-to-day operations management and driving results.
• The candidate must exhibit advanced level of English. English will be tested, and the candidate must score a minimum of C2 on CEFR.
• The candidate must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to his responsibilities and deadlines.
• The selected candidate must be 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.
• The selected candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate precisely and professionally with internal and external sources.
• The selected candidate must demonstrate ability to multi-task, take initiative, to work independently, maintain an organized work environment, and be part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• The selected candidate must have high ethical standards with a strong commitment to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion.
• The selected candidate must have strong program and project management skills. Experience supporting the implementation of multiple workstream activities.
• 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).