The Regional Legal Counsel serves as an in-house legal advisor, offering extensive legal guidance critical to all operational activities of CIMMYT within the designated region. This role involves providing counsel on contracts, legal transactions, risk evaluation, regulatory adherence, and other pertinent legal matters pertinent to the department. The position guarantees robust legal protection across the region while playing a pivotal role in the seamless provision of legal services throughout CIMMYT’s regional operations.
Oversee the entire contract lifecycle management process, from initial drafting to final archiving, ensuring meticulous attention to detail at every stage. This encompasses the preparation, review, negotiation, and amendment of legal agreements—such as grants, contracts, NDAs, leases, and other instruments—while maintaining rigorous quality control measures throughout. Additionally, responsibilities include the systematic organization and secure storage of all executed agreements within the designated regional framework.
Deliver strategic, commercially focused legal counsel spanning various jurisdictions, encompassing corporate, regulatory, labor, tax, administrative, criminal, and litigation issues.
Support compliance and case management initiatives by maintaining accurate tracking, thorough documentation, and comprehensive reporting, ensuring cases are resolved promptly and efficiently with the aid of dashboards and KPI tools.
Provide guidance to internal teams—including Research, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Operations—on routine legal concerns to uphold compliance standards, minimize risks, and enhance operational effectiveness.
Collaborate in developing and overseeing compliance programs to ensure alignment with established policies, deliver targeted training initiatives, and maintain effective internal communications.
Serve as the primary legal liaison between regional teams and Headquarters, maintaining uniform policy interpretation and enhancing awareness of legal risks.
Conduct thorough research and analysis of relevant laws, treaties, and regulations, then prepare legal opinions, memoranda, and other compliance-related documents to ensure adherence across multiple jurisdictions.
Monitor legal requests and service tickets vigilantly, adhering to established deadlines while delivering consistent progress updates to stakeholders.
Assist in managing corporate governance functions, such as handling powers of attorney, preparing minutes, and ensuring adherence to statutory compliance requirements.
Work collaboratively with diverse teams across departments to design and enforce policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and upholding ethical practices.
Offer expert legal guidance to drive business initiatives forward and collaborate with senior counsel on intricate legal challenges as needed.
Serve as a liaison for the Legal Department in both internal and external settings, facilitating productive engagement with stakeholders.
To create and provide training and educational resources that enhance understanding of institutional policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Requirements
A master’s degree or LL.M. is mandatory for this position.
A minimum of eight years of specialized experience as in-house legal counsel in comparable positions, ideally within multijurisdictional or regional settings, is required. Proficiency in regulatory and compliance matters is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in international non-profit, development, or agricultural research organizations represents a valuable asset.
Proficiency in navigating diverse regional legal frameworks and adeptness at operating within intricate multi-jurisdictional settings are essential.
Demonstrates a strong capability to deliver relevant and prompt legal guidance at every organizational tier, effectively reconciling legal considerations with operational objectives.
Exceptional expertise in overseeing substantial caseloads with precision, adept at strategic prioritization and consistently delivering results within stringent timelines.
Exceptional organizational, writing, and communication abilities, with a proven capacity to distill complex legal concepts into accessible, non-technical language for diverse audiences.
Proficient in computer applications, particularly Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, with a proactive attitude toward mastering new technologies.
Maintaining unwavering ethical integrity, exercising meticulous confidentiality, and demonstrating prudent discretion in all professional interactions are essential to this role.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, a proactive approach to meeting deadlines, and the capacity to produce precise outputs with unwavering consistency and timely follow-through.
Proven ability to communicate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong professional relationships and ensuring clarity in all interactions.
Fluent and accurate command of English is essential, with a minimum proficiency level of C2 as per standardized assessment requirements.
Maintains the highest level of confidentiality and exercises professional discretion in all matters.
Demonstrates strong capabilities in managing time efficiently, adapting to dynamic situations, collaborating effectively within teams, prioritizing customer needs, taking initiative, resolving challenges, and embracing cultural diversity.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
