GENERAL COUNSEL

CANDIDATE BRIEF

APRIL 2017

INTRODUCTION

This is an exceptional role for a high performing international legal expert with a leading fund

working to eradicate poverty and hunger globally.

Under the direct supervision of the President of IFAD, the General Counsel will manage and

motivate a team of lawyers to deliver results in the Fund's work programme, including

governance, institutional/administrative arrangements and operational matters; the

incumbent will act as IFAD legal adviser to the institution on all aspects of IFAD's operations

and mandate, as well as all issues of administrative, institutional or other law as they may

affect the institution and its mandate. The incumbent will provide advice as General Counsel

to the Governing Council, Executive Board and Management with a view to ensuring that

decisions taken are viable and avoid or reduce risks for the Fund.

The General Counsel is a Director of IFAD. The main focus of which is strategic leadership,

innovation and management. The accountabilities/key results include:

• Vision & Strategy

• Policy Development & Advice

• Programme Management

• Management of Resources

• Representation

Within IFAD’s overall Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan, Directors establish IFAD’s

priorities for and provide leadership to division level programme and operational

management activities and are accountable for a results-based approach to meeting assigned

goals and objectives. Leadership activities include the optimum utilisation of human,

financial, technology and material resources for the achievement of greater efficiency and

effectiveness. The incumbents’ impact extends beyond the successful achievement of

divisional goals and objectives to include larger departmental goals and objectives in strategic

planning collaboration. The expected results directly and/or indirectly benefit the ultimate

stakeholders, the rural poor in developing countries.

The key performance indicators for Directors include leadership in viable strategic planning,

authoritative and relevant policy development and advice, sustainable programme decisions

and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of the Fund’s human,

financial and material resources assigned to the division.

ABOUT IFAD

The International Fund for Agricultural

Development (IFAD) is an international

financial institution and a specialised

United Nations agency dedicated to

eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It

does so by investing in rural people. IFAD

finances programmes and projects that

increase agricultural productivity and raise

rural incomes, and advocates at the local,

national and international level, for policies

that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of the General Counsel (LEG)

provides substantive legal advice to IFAD’s

secretariat and Governing Bodies on all

legal aspects of IFAD’s operations and

administration. It is responsible for drafting

and negotiating the legal agreements with

IFAD’s borrowing Member States and NGOs

that provide the legal framework for

project implementation. LEG provides legal

advice on a broad range of institutional

issues, including the interpretation,

implementation and periodic revision of its

Basic Documents, the functioning of its

governing bodies, the investment of IFAD’s

Reserve Fund and human resources.

THE ROLE

The major functional accountabilities of the General Counsel role include:

Vision and Strategy:

Directors develop and promote a strategic vision for translating IFAD’s corporate and

departmental mandates, strategies, goals and objectives into a divisional programme of work

and for ensuring evolving divisional programme activities are integrated in the evolution of

departmental goals and objectives. They participate in the design of IFAD's and departmental

strategic approaches and ensure that corporate strategies are fully integrated in the design of

assigned activities. Directors set and communicate clear strategic and operational objectives

and are held accountable for the division being seen as a credible and trusted partner in

managing for results and as an innovator in its field. For the General Counsel, this will include

but will not be limited to:

• Providing strategic legal advice to senior management, the Executive Board and the

Governing Council on governance matters, including the interpretation of IFAD's basic

documents, amendments to these documents and their application to the various

aspects of the governing bodies' functions.

• Participating in the top management committee meetings and attending the meetings

of the governing bodies.

• Preparing litigation strategy and leading negotiations involving IFAD and its financial

assistance and other operations. Representing IFAD in proceedings before

courts/tribunals.

Policy Development and Advice:

Directors provide leadership in the development and interpretation of major policies,

regulations and rules, and systems that govern the work of a division and ensure they

support divisional goals and objectives within the overall Fund mandates and strategies.

Directors also serve as a trusted business/programme advisors with a significant role in

authoritative policy advice within the Fund at the senior management level as well as in policy

dialogue in their representational activities. For the General Counsel, this will include but will

not be limited to:

• Ensuring the establishment and maintenance of a clear and transparent rule-based

system for IFAD's operations, including a coherent framework of policies and

procedures.

• Managing legal advice and services in relation to corporate and administrative

matters, including but not limited to the replenishment of IFAD's resources;

investment of funds; human resources policies and procedures; and relationships

with member countries, the host country, the United Nations system, cooperating

institutions and other international organisations.

Programme Management:

Directors provide leadership in:

a) all phases of the division’s medium-term planning and management, including

operational requirements such as:

i. establishing annual work plans;

ii. ensuring regular programme assessment; and

iii. identifying opportunities for innovation and implementation of best practices

generated within the Fund as well as in peer organisations, both private and

public;

b) reviewing and innovating core processes of the division in order to achieve better

efficiency and effectiveness, as well as financial sustainability, of operations;

c) enhancing synergy among divisional staff and holding staff accountable for results; and

d) ensuring the preparation of all divisional publications, reports and governing bodies

documents.

Management of Resources:

Directors lead, motivate, coach and support staff of their division to create a team that

delivers the division’s work programme, works effectively and ensures proper due diligence

of legal aspects. In general, Directors are accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity

in the management of IFAD resources (human, financial and material). This includes:

• People Management through workforce planning, recruitment, performance

management, learning and career management of professional and general staff:

a) Identifying best qualified candidates for vacancies, with appropriate

regard for gender balance and geographic distribution;

b) Motivating, coaching and supporting staff of the division, wherever they

are located, to create cohesive teams that work effectively to achieve

common divisional goals and objectives;

c) Managing staff performance and development through regular

performance feedback, mentoring and career planning;

• Divisional Budget Management by leading divisional strategic and data inputs into

the departmental budget preparation exercises and by ensuring accountability and

fiduciary integrity in the Division’s budget execution;

• Material Resources Management through accountability for the material resources

assigned to the Division;

• Knowledge and Content Management to achieve innovative outcomes and cost

effective processes as well as to promote the generation, validation and

dissemination of knowledge by ensuring:

a) knowledge content is continuously updated and available;

b) best practices are continuously identified, documented and distributed;

and

c) appropriate and up-to-date information and tools are available as

required;

• Information Technology Management through leveraging ERP functionality for

improved business results, reporting processes and client services.

Representation:

Within IFAD, Directors provide authoritative advice to senior management on the divisions or

office’s vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational

management. They are accountable for collaboration and coordination within the Fund to

ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme

planning and activities. In particular, the General Counsel participates as a resource in the

Sanctions Committee and ensures the implementation of the Fund's anticorruption policy, in

close collaboration with the Office of Audit and Oversight, the Ethics Office and other relevant

divisions.

In general, Directors develop strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships with

counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions, including borrowers, bilateral and

multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFIs, non-

governmental organisations and academic institutions, for the purpose of programme co-

operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilisation. The General

Counsel is also responsible for the provision of authoritative legal and policy advice during

the meetings of the Executive Board and related subordinate bodies including the audit and

evaluation committees, and the sessions of the Governing Council. In addition, the General

Counsel represents IFAD in proceedings before courts and tribunals and is a member of

groups of chief legal officers in various similar organisations.

Directors represent the Fund in official United Nations committees and networks, and in

international financial institution, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and

conferences upon request of the President, and build organisational networks with peers in

major private, public and international financial institutions. The General Counsel is a

member of groups of chief legal officers from these other institutions.

GENERAL COUNSEL

LEVEL: D-2

LOCATION: Rome, Italy

CONTRACT: 2 years fixed-term (renewable)

REMUNERATION: D-2 salary range with standard UN compensation package

COMPETENCIES

Organisational

• Strategic thinking and organisational

development: strategic leadership.

• Demonstrating Leadership: leads by

example; initiates and supports change.

• Learning, sharing knowledge and

innovating: challenges, innovates and

contributes to a learning culture.

• Focusing on clients: contributes to a

client-focused culture.

• Problem solving and decision making:

solves complex problems and makes

decisions that have wider corporate

impact.

• Managing time, resources and

information: coordinates wider use of

time, information and/or resources.

• Team Work: fosters a cohesive team

environment.

• Communicating and negotiating:

acquires and uses a wide range of

communication styles and skills.

• Building relationships and partnerships:

builds and maintains strategic

partnerships internally and externally.

• Managing performance and developing

staff: manages wider teams with greater

impact on others and on the

organisation.

Technical/Functional

• Recognised management skills in a

multicultural setting, combined with

ability to achieve results through

motivating people and influencing

partners.

• Results-oriented decision-making ability

with an aptitude to address operational

challenges and for developing practical

solutions.

• Innovator with risk management ability

and a proven track record as a

successful agent of change.

• Rigorous analytical and conceptual

thinking.

• High sense of integrity, trust and

confidence.

• Champion of IFAD’s values: respect for

the individual, integrity, professionalism

and focus on results.

• Excellent written and verbal

communication skills in English,

including the ability to set out a

coherent analysis in presentations.

• Strong diplomatic and communication

skills and the ability to develop effective

working relationships with clients and

counterparts at the appropriate levels.

• Ability to represent IFAD in international

fora.

MINIMUM QUALIFCATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant

area.

Experience

• At least 15 years of substantive experience with legal work in international

organisations and/or similar organisations, preferably within the United Nations

system, in International Financial Institutions; broad-based background in multiple

areas of international law.

• Extensive and proven managerial experience at progressively senior levels in a legal

office, with a focus on managing human resources to achieve results.

• Expert knowledge in legal affairs related to financial institutions operating in

development.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of

another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.

Other Information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the

authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the

activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

IFAD is committed to achieving diversity and is seeking a balanced workforce from its

Member States. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

You are requested to submit your

application through both IFAD and

Oxford HR. Please note that failure to

comply with this requirement may result in

your application not being assessed for this

role. Please find instructions below:

IFAD online application form can be

found here:

https://job.ifad.org/psc/IFHRPRDE/EMPLOY

EE/HRMS/s/WEBLIB_IFA_FORM.ISCRIPT1.Fie

ldFormula.IScript_IFADSimulation?route=vi

ewJobPosting&joid=1526

You should receive an automatic message

confirming your application. For any

queries about IFAD’s applicant portal,

please contact erecruit@ifad.org

Please ensure that your submission fully

addresses the appointment criteria in the

person specification.

Oxford HR online application form:

To apply for this position, please fill out the

application form on

http://oxfordhr.co.uk/job/general-counsel/,

and attach a copy of your CV and a detailed

supporting statement.

You should provide the names, positions,

organisations and contact telephone

numbers of at least three referees

(supervisors and/or clients). Please clearly

indicate the working relationship with the

referee. References will only be taken once

your express permission has been granted.

We would be grateful if you could also let

us know if you require any special

provision as a result of any disability should

you be called for interview.

Finally, please ensure that you have

included your mobile and home telephone

numbers, as well as dates when you will

not be available or might have difficulty

with the indicative timetable:

Closing date 22 May 2017

Preliminary interviews 9 June 2017

Final Panel Interviews 2-14 July 2017

These dates may be subject to change, and

applicants will be advised in advance

should this happen.

SELECTION PROCESS

Candidates may be required to take a

written test and to deliver a presentation

as well as participate in interviews.

IFAD’S CORE VALUES

Focus on results

We strive to achieve excellent results. We

accept personal responsibility and

accountability for our actions and results.

We recognize achievement and reward

high performance. We respond to the

needs and expectations of our clients and

stakeholders with urgency, exercising good

judgement in addressing changing

circumstances.

Professionalism

We exercise high levels of professionalism

in our work and reward merit. We use the

most appropriate skills and competencies,

continually seeking opportunities to

improve through innovative approaches.

We work collaboratively towards our

common goal of serving poor rural people

regardless of individual roles or functions

and apply the same ethos with our

partners. We share our knowledge of best

practices with colleagues at all levels to

enhance the quality of our services.

Integrity

We are driven by our commitment to

enabling poor rural people to overcome

poverty, and not by personal gain or

alliances with vested interests. We protect

and promote the reputation of IFAD. We

are honest and act with integrity. We do

not tolerate unethical behaviour; we

challenge it as a matter of personal

responsibility, regardless of our position in

the organization.

Respect

We treat our staff, partners, donors and

poor rural people with respect and

sensitivity. We value diversity and draw

upon the different strengths, cultures,

ideas, experience and talents of people. We

provide equal and fair opportunities for

employment, career development and

learning. We ensure a positive and

energizing work environment.

QUERIES

If you have any queries on any aspect of

the recruitment and selection process,

need additional information, or would like

to have an informal discussion, please

contact:

Toby Weaver – Director International

Organisations via

ifad-general-counsel@oxfordhr.co.uk.

Oxford HR Consultants Ltd

The Old Music Hall, 106-108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JE UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 403 298 | Web: www.oxfordhr.co.uk | Reg. Company No. 6456325

ABOUT OXFORD HR

Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within

the international development and UK

charity sectors. We carry out retained

executive search mandates at board and

senior management levels. We also offer

human resource and organisational

development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in

search as well as an extensive network of

international development, social sector,

corporate, public sector and academic

contacts from across the world. We carry

out comprehensive and often international

searches designed to meet the specific

needs of our clients.

Oxford HR’s team members have

significant personal experience of working

in international development and the social

sector as well as the corporate and

governmental sectors. We are in a unique

position to find and assess talented

individuals from a variety of backgrounds.