Associate General Counsel (Institutional Practice Group)

Grade: IS-6
Deadline: 19 April 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 171,200 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

 

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 billion to date. 

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.  Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

 

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

 

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. 
 

Position Objective
OGC is responsible for protecting the legal interests of GCF and advises on approaches to mitigate and manage GCF’s risk exposure appropriately.  It prepares or reviews documents which create and define the legal rights or obligations of GCF. The Associate General Counsel will be part of the Office of the General Counsel providing legal support and guidance to the GCF on institutional matters. 

 

The Associate General Counsel will carry out duties under the direction of the General Counsel on legal work related to administrative and institutional matters of GCF. This includes legal review, interpretation, advice and support on GCF’s governance framework, human resources, intellectual property, procurement, privileges and immunities, host country relations, institutional policies, instructions, guidelines as well as draft board decisions.  The Associate General Counsel will also play an integral role in strategy formulation and execution of GCF’s defense in cases of mediation, arbitration and litigation. 

 

S/he will provide legal advice and support related to the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of agreements that GCF is a party to, excluding operational matters. In addition, the Associate General Counsel will manage and supervise the day-to-day work of the institutional counsels (Senior, Counsel and Associate level). 

Purpose 

• Assign and coordinate the work of the institutional practice group in administrative matters related to GCF’s governance framework, including its Governing Instrument and Rules of Procedure, human resources, intellectual property and procurement issues as well as the interpretation and application of institutional policies, rules and regulations;
• Negotiate international agreements including privileges and immunities, and all contractual arrangements with third parties, excluding those that relate to operational activities. This includes memoranda of understanding, exchange of letters, declarations and other general cooperation agreements;
• Manage pleadings before internal and external tribunals arising out of employment-related disputes and grievances.
• Resolve complex issues arising during the course of transactions mentioned above;

 

Engagement

• Coordinate and manage legal support and guidance from the institutional practice group to the rest of the Fund on matters related to the institutional, administrative and governance issues affecting GCF; 
• Participate in GCF’s Board meetings and other events and meetings of the GCF, when required. Undertake the advance preparation and review of relevant documentation, close consultation and collaboration with the internal and external counterparts;
• Be the focal point and sounding board to other offices and departments within the GCF in order to assess and address their legal needs and requirements, and undertake and/or advise on the drafting of documents with legal consequences.

 

Delivery

• Provide timely, sound and practical legal advice on the legal policy framework and the institutional and administrative operations of GCF in relation to its Governing Instrument and Rules and Procedure;
• Manage the timely review and delivery of all agreements relating to the administrative and institutional issues and other legal documents related to GCF’s legal and policy framework;
• Lead the Institutional practice group to develop and apply creative solutions to common issues which may arise in transactions from time to time;
• Ensure that the Institutional practice group is kept updated on the latest trends/developments in public international law, international civil servant law, international administrative law and in multilateral finance.

 

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

• LLM, or equivalent law degree ;
• Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction;
• At least thirteen (13) years of relevant work experience practicing public international law including international administrative law and/or international civil servant law with a well-recognized law firm in the field, an international organization and/or a development institution;
• Extensive experience working on employment relations, dispute resolution, litigation, organizational governance, administrative law, or novel and/or innovative areas of law, including sanctions, data privacy and intellectual property law are advantages;
• Track record in managing and leading teams, including internal counsels, internal and external consultants, in a fast pace environment;
• Solid legal drafting skills, specifically of drafting rules, regulations and guidelines within the context of an internal governance framework;
• Experience liaising with, and advising, senior members of staff; experience advising management is an advantage;
• Experience in, or working with, developing countries; 
• Emotional intelligence and values-driven work ethic, and 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
   

The closing date for application is 19 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

 

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. 

 

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.