The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) -  the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. 

POSITION : Division Manager - Administrative Affairs Division

The Hiring Departmen

• The General Counsel and Legal Services Department delivers legal advice and services to the statutory organs of the Bank group: Boards of the Bank Group (the Bank), to Senior Management, to Directorate General Hubs and more generally to the whole Bank.
• The General Counsel and Legal Services Department also protects the interest of the Bank from legal liability and as necessary provide legal defense in cases filed against or brought by the Bank.

The Position

•  Administrative Affairs Division role is to lead all legal aspects of administrative/institutional issues and ensure the supervision, mentoring and coaching of staff under the incumbent supervision.
• The job holder ensures the correct interpretation of, and compliance with the various Bank’s policies, rules, regulations and procedures applicable to staff (including Staff rules & regulations, applicable Presidential Directives and Administrative Instructions), corporate procurement, delegation of authority of the Bank.

 Responsibilities

• Coordinate and harmonize work done in the Regional Hubs, as well as carries out the day-today administrative management of the Division;
• Interact with all institutional entities of the Bank including senior management, management, Boards of Directors and of Governors as the case may be;
• Attend Board meetings (formal and committees) and ensure that all legal aspects of projects presented to the Boards have been covered.
• Assign and Coordinate work of each counsel with that of the corporate services and Human Resources and/or other complexes of the Bank.
• Supervise the preparation of briefs and pleadings for defending the Bank’s interests before the Administrative Tribunal and/or Appeals Committee and other fora in which a dispute may be instituted against and/or by the Bank.
• Supervise and leads negotiation with countries for the establishment of Bank’s Offices.
• Assist the General Counsel in elaborating and coordinating strategies for the defense of the Bank in any litigation brought by an external party against the Bank.
• Supervise the initiation, monitoring and conclusion of settlement in litigation, mediation, arbitration and other type of dispute resolution mechanisms as are necessary in the interest of the Bank.
• Supervise drafting of legal documents relating to the organizational structure and administration of the Bank, supervises the drafting of legal advice in respect of the relationship of the Bank and the Fund with third parties including other international organizations and member states, particularly with regard to the privileges, immunities and exemptions of the Bank and Fund as well as those enjoyed by its officers, employees, consultants and experts.
• Supervise the preparation of the terms of contracts related to institutional procurement including leases or purchase of real property; procurement of goods, services and works necessary for the proper functioning of the Bank, IT hardware and software procurement.
• Assist the General Counsel in providing legal assistance and advice or in participating to statutory committees such as the Staff Appeals Committee, the Disciplinary Committee, the Pension Steering Committee and Investment Committee, the Medical Board and Finance Committee of the Medical Plan, the Purchasing Committee, the Information Systems Steering Committee and the Capital Investment Program Committee.
• Supervise the provision of legal advice and support in all human resource matters including recruitment, salary reviews, and administration of staff benefits, contract negotiation, promotions, pre-litigious issues and performance evaluations.
• Supervise the Interpretation texts of the Bank concerning staff and general administration of the Bank.
• Ensure quality control as well as compliance with the Bank’s policies and procedures with respect to the provision of legal services in all aspects of administrative matters of the Bank.
• Prepare and manage the budget of the Division.
• Ensures quality control, coordinates and harmonize the work of lawyers in the Regional Directorate Hubs.
• Handle legal issues of a complex and confidential nature in accordance with the instructions of the General Counsel and/or other members of Senior Management of the Bank.
• Assure quality control of work performed in the Division and determines the priorities of the Division as well as resolves any conflicts that may arise between subordinates.
• Evaluate staff performance yearly, provides Human Resources Department with necessary information on staff confirmation following probationary period and contracts renewals.
• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel.

Selection Criteria

• Effective consulting and advisory skills that enable clients and help resolve their legal issues
• Ability to take the lead in any legal discourse at Board meetings (formal and all Board committees) and drive change in line with the Bank’s requirements
• Ability to take the lead in any legal discourse at  certain internal technical committees and Senior Management committees as needed
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications; knowledge of SAP is an added advantage.
• Hold at least a Master’s degree in Law, and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries; or A Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the Bar of one of the African Development Bank member countries.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in similar jobs, preferably in a Multilateral Development Bank.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Combined specialization and expertise in the knowledge of the administrative structure, organization and texts of the Bank;
• Seasoned knowledge in the current trend of developments and familiarity with international law, and related matters within the Bank and other international organizations;
• Strong skills in preparation of complex legal documents including briefs and confidential legal opinions, leading the negotiation of host country agreements or complex technology contracts and, partnership agreements;
• Capacity to supervise the negotiation of complex legal documents of all manners and form that balances the standards and norms of outside parties with the unique requirements of the Bank.
• Capacity to lead the representation of the Bank before the Administrative Tribunal and other dispute resolution fora, as may be directed by the General Counsel.
• Ability to apply legal knowledge to deliver full scope of strategic legal services in line with the Bank’s requirements in the legal domain.