The Regional Legal Counsel serves as an in-house legal advisor, offering extensive legal guidance to support all operational activities of CIMMYT within the designated region. This role provides counsel on matters pertaining to contracts, legal transactions, risk evaluation, regulatory adherence, and other pertinent legal issues affecting the department. By ensuring robust legal oversight across the region, the position plays a pivotal role in facilitating the seamless provision of legal services throughout CIMMYT’s regional operations.
Execute and oversee the entire contract lifecycle, encompassing the drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, quality assurance, and archiving of legal agreements—including grants, contracts, NDAs, leases, and other relevant instruments—throughout the designated region.
Offer strategic legal guidance tailored to business needs across diverse jurisdictions, addressing corporate governance, regulatory compliance, labor law, taxation, administrative procedures, criminal matters, and litigation.
Support compliance functions and case management operations by leveraging dashboards and KPI tools to monitor progress, maintain accurate documentation, generate comprehensive reports, and ensure cases are resolved within established timelines.
Provide guidance to internal teams, including Research, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Operations, on routine legal issues to uphold compliance standards, minimize risks, and enhance operational effectiveness.
Collaborate in the development and oversight of compliance initiatives, with a focus on aligning policies, delivering training sessions, and enhancing internal communications.
Serve as the primary legal liaison between regional teams and Headquarters, maintaining uniform policy interpretation and enhancing visibility of legal risks.
Conduct thorough examinations of relevant laws, treaties, and regulations to assess their implications, then prepare legal opinions, memoranda, and other documentation to maintain compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Monitor and follow up on legal requests and service tickets diligently, delivering prompt updates and guaranteeing timely completion.
Facilitate corporate governance initiatives by managing powers of attorney, preparing and maintaining meeting minutes, and ensuring adherence to statutory compliance requirements.
Partner with diverse teams across the organization to design, document, and execute policies and procedures that uphold regulatory standards and maintain ethical integrity.
Offer expert legal guidance to business operations and collaborate with senior counsel on intricate legal issues as needed.
You will serve as the primary liaison for the Legal Department, representing its interests in both internal discussions and external interactions, while also facilitating and strengthening key stakeholder relationships.
Design and implement training programs and educational resources to promote understanding of institutional policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Requirements
A master’s degree or an LL.M. is a prerequisite for this position.
A minimum of eight years of experience in in-house legal advisory roles is required, ideally within diverse or multinational legal frameworks. Proficiency in regulatory and compliance matters is strongly preferred.
Preference will be given to candidates with prior involvement in international non-profit, development, research, or agricultural research organizations.
Possesses comprehensive expertise in regional legal frameworks and demonstrates proficiency in navigating complex multi-jurisdictional environments.
Experienced in delivering clear, actionable legal guidance to all organizational tiers while aligning legal considerations with business objectives to mitigate risk.
Seasoned professional with extensive expertise in overseeing substantial caseloads of legal issues while maintaining composure under tight timelines, skillfully balancing competing priorities, and consistently delivering results within stringent deadlines.
Exceptional organizational, writing, and communication skills are essential, with a proven ability to convey complex legal concepts in accessible terms for non-legal stakeholders.
Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, with a commitment to mastering new technologies.
Maintains unwavering ethical standards, exercising meticulous confidentiality and judicious discretion in all professional dealings.
Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, operates with a strong sense of urgency, and consistently delivers precise results through thorough follow-up.
Strong interpersonal and communication abilities are essential to facilitate productive engagements with both internal teams and external partners.
Fluency in English, demonstrated through an advanced proficiency level (C2), is essential and will be formally evaluated.
Capable of upholding stringent confidentiality standards and exercising sound professional judgment in all situations.
Experienced in managing time efficiently, adapting to change, collaborating effectively with teams, prioritizing customer satisfaction, taking initiative, resolving challenges, and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 years
