Senior Counsel (Law and Policy Reform)

Job Vacancy | Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

This position Senior Counsel (Law and Policy Reform) is assigned within the 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, institutional, 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. Furthermore, OGC manages the Law and Policy Reform (LPR) Program comprised of a portfolio of technical assistance (TA) projects in key areas such as private sector and PPP development, climate and environmental protection, gender equality, and digital economy, as well as the provision of implementation support to LPR interventions administered by other ADB departments and offices. The LPR Program is supported by a dedicated LPR team that provides advisory, coordination, and support services and lawyers. OGC staff from other teams contribute to the LPR program whether by implementing their technical assistance projects under the LPR Program or contributing in other ways.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

The incumbent will report to the designated international staff in charge of managing the LPR Program and LPR team and will help supervise National and Administrative Staff.

The position title on the appointment is “Senior Counsel”.

Your Role

As a Senior Counsel you will support the OGC in achieving its key result areas by contributing primarily to the LPR Program as well as OGC’s broader knowledge management activities. This position is within the LPR team and requires working closely with the rest of the OGC staff, as well as ADB staff from other departments and offices, consultants, resource persons, development partners, and external clients such as government officials and legal and judicial stakeholders.

You will:

a. Law and Policy Reform

• Contribute to initiatives to mainstream law and policy reform (LPR) activities across ADB and the development and implementation of these activities.
• Proactively engage with ADB departments and offices in identifying LPR opportunities and integrating LPR interventions into relevant country partnership strategies, country and regional programming, relevant work plans of sector or thematic groups and ADB’s annual budget process.
• Lead internal and external stakeholder engagement in selected ADB developing member countries (DMCs) and in selected LPR areas, in coordination with international staff in charge of managing the LPR Program and LPR team.
• Conduct policy dialogue with governments and field missions as necessary.
• Review and respond to LPR requests or proposals, in coordination with international staff in charge of managing the LPR Program and LPR team.
• Provide legal and policy advice and analytical support in the design, processing, administration and implementation of LPR TA projects and management of the LPR Program portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with ADB policies and procedures, quality control of the LPR and transparent, fair, and competitive budget allocation for LPR TAs.
• Ensure LPR TAs that are processed and administered and/or implemented by LPR counsels are strategically aligned with ADB strategies and priorities and at the request of ADB DMCs.
• Advise LPR counsels who contribute to the LPR Program including strategic engagement with internal and external clients and trouble-shoot implementation issues such as contract, budget and consultant issues.
• Contribute to the effective and efficient delivery of LPR support services to the LPR counsels, as well as delivery of regular training to LPR counsels
• Work with the LPR Team in conducting regular monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the LPR Program.
• Work with the LPR team and LPR counsels on funding applications for ADB internal technical assistance fund, trust funds and other sources of funds.
• Work with the LPR Team to ensure effective liaison and communication with development partners, regional institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Support the continuous enhancement of LPR website and other LPR platforms including ensuring the curation and effective dissemination of knowledge resources and events.
• Help implement new technology and best practices in legal knowledge management in collaboration with LPR multimedia and communication teams.
• Lead or contribute to LPR thought leadership including the development and publication of LPR knowledge resources and convening of rule of law and other knowledge sharing events.
• Promote the LPR Program through various platforms, speaking engagements and participation at relevant forums.

b. Knowledge Management

• Contribute to ADB-wide knowledge management activities and coordinate internal OGC resources for the effective implementation of OGC’s knowledge management needs.
• Contribute to innovative approaches to policy and operational issues, including formulating, writing and reviewing policy papers, legal research, and dissemination of policy and best practices.

c. Staff Supervision

• Assist in the supervision of national staff and consultants.
• Provide coaching and mentoring of reporting staff to ensure ongoing learning and development.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master of Laws, or equivalent, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries.
• At least 10 years of relevant legal experience at an international organization, law firm, financial institution, and/or rule of law organization, including practical experience working on projects in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience advising on commercial or corporate matters and/or leading or implementing law reform and capacity-building initiatives to improve governance, rule of law, and private sector development.
• Ability to conduct high-level policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement, in-depth legal research and analysis, and negotiate and draft legal agreements and reports.
• Must be able to present complex legal issues with a high degree of competence.
• Ability to learn about and contribute to policy issues in development.
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries in thematic/country teams examining complex or non-routine matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and digital literacy is required.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams.
• Ability 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 the ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

· Paid leave (including parental)

· Medical and health benefits

· Life and other insurance plans

· Staff development

· Retirement plan

· Housing and education allowance (if applicable)

· Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

About Us

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.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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