The Regional Legal Counsel serves as an in-house legal advisor, delivering comprehensive legal guidance to support all CIMMYT activities within the region. This role involves providing counsel on contracts, legal transactions, risk evaluation, regulatory adherence, and other pertinent legal matters pertinent to the department. Additionally, the position guarantees robust legal oversight across the region while playing a key role in the provision and execution of legal services throughout CIMMYT’s regional operations.
Oversee the complete contract lifecycle management process, encompassing drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, quality assurance, and secure archiving of legal agreements—such as grants, contracts, NDAs, leases, and other instruments—throughout the entire Region.
Offer strategic, commercially focused legal guidance spanning various jurisdictions, encompassing corporate, regulatory, labor, tax, administrative, criminal, and litigation issues.
Support compliance and case management functions by utilizing dashboards and KPI tools to monitor progress, maintain accurate documentation, generate reports, and ensure cases are resolved promptly.
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.
Assist in designing and overseeing compliance initiatives, ensuring policies are aligned with regulatory standards, while coordinating training sessions and internal communications to reinforce adherence.
Serve as the central legal liaison between regional teams and Headquarters, maintaining uniform policy interpretation and enhancing awareness of legal risks.
Research and assess relevant laws, treaties, and regulations to evaluate their implications. Prepare legal opinions, memoranda, and other documentation to verify adherence to jurisdictional requirements.
Monitor and follow up on legal requests and service tickets diligently, delivering prompt updates and guaranteeing timely resolution.
Facilitate corporate governance initiatives by overseeing powers of attorney, preparing meeting minutes, and ensuring adherence to statutory compliance requirements.
Work collaboratively with diverse teams across the organization to design and execute policies and procedures that uphold regulatory standards and ethical guidelines.
Offer expert legal guidance to business operations and collaborate with senior counsel on intricate matters as needed.
Serve as the principal liaison for the Legal Department, engaging with both internal teams and external parties, while facilitating productive stakeholder interactions.
Design and implement training programs and educational resources to 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 frameworks, is required. Proficiency in regulatory and compliance matters is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in international non-profit, development, research, or agricultural research organizations is highly beneficial.
Possesses comprehensive expertise in regional legal systems and demonstrates proficiency in navigating intricate, multi-jurisdictional frameworks.
Able to deliver clear, actionable legal guidance promptly to all organizational levels while effectively balancing legal considerations with operational priorities.
Demonstrated expertise in handling substantial caseloads within high-pressure environments, with a keen ability to prioritize tasks efficiently and consistently meet stringent deadlines.
Accomplished in organizing information effectively, crafting clear written content, and communicating with precision, with a demonstrated ability to distill complex legal terminology into accessible language for individuals outside the legal field.
Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, is required, along with a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies.
Maintains the highest ethical standards with exceptional discretion and confidentiality.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, a proactive approach to meeting deadlines, and a commitment to producing precise outcomes with thorough follow-through.
Proven ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with both internal teams and external partners to facilitate seamless collaboration and relationship-building.
Fluency in English at a C2 level is essential, with this proficiency confirmed through formal assessment.
Maintains absolute confidentiality and exercises professional discretion at all times.
Skilled in efficiently managing time, adapting to various situations, collaborating effectively within teams, prioritizing customer needs, taking initiative, resolving challenges, and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
