Want to help make a difference?  Want to know how you can apply your legal skills to help promote economic development and eradicate poverty in the Asia Pacific region?

We are calling for applications from talented mid-level or senior HR/Dispute Resolution lawyers to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Asian Development Bank. 

The Counsel will have the unique opportunity to advise on some of the most interesting and emerging issues in institutional and administrative law at one of the premier multilateral development banks. You will be part of an institution that works to promote sustainable energy and infrastructure, tackle climate change, and make cities more liveable, and strengthen governance and legal frameworks through OGC’s Law and Policy Reform Program. Come join this award-winning legal team and help make a difference. ADB offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.  See salary structure: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/page/42062/adb-international-staff-salary-structure-2020.pdf

Click on the link below to apply before the closing date of 18 March 2020.  

Counsel (Institutional and Administrative Law)

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Overview

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.  

This position is assigned within 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 all aspects of ADB operational and administrative matters. To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here. Parenthetical title is only for advertisement purposes. Position title upon appointment is "Counsel".

Job Purpose – Counsel (Institutional and Administrative Law)

The Counsel supports OGC in achieving its key result areas by providing legal advice and documentation support to institutional and administrative matters and other advisory work as required. The Counsel will report to an Assistant General Counsel who leads and manages a team of lawyers handling similar matters in one or more regions in Asia and Pacific. He or she will supervise one or more National and Administrative Staff

Responsibilities

a. Legal Advice and Support

• Provide legal advice and support on:
• Personnel policies and issues including staff grievances, disciplinary procedures, appeals to the Appeals Committee, and applications to the ADB Administrative Tribunal.
• Administrative matters and legal issues affecting ADB Headquarters, Resident Missions and Representative Offices in ADB member countries.
• Privileges and immunities of ADB and its personnel in member countries.
• Matters concerning ADB's membership, the Board of Governors and Board of Directors, and ADB's Annual Meetings.
• Reviewing laws and regulations applicable to specified matters.
• Preparing legal documentation for any of the above matters.

b. Knowledge Sharing

• Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training, conferences and other activities for advocacy, knowledge building and dissemination.

c. Staff Supervision

• Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master's degree, or equivalent, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB's member countries. Alternatively, university degree in law combined with specialized professional experience in similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a master's degree.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal experience, with particular emphasis on litigation, preferably with a focus on employment and/administrative law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required. Must be able to present and defend legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
• Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position.
• Able to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams.
• Able 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 ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB's standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual's qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives1 of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

1Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle.

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.