General Counsel - African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI)

The General Counsel is expected to devise a well-defined African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) legislative framework, engage stakeholders including shareholders and governments. Additionally, H/She is expected to lead all legal and governance best practices within ATI in an ethical and transparent manner and to support the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors with interpreting the legal framework.

Responsibilities
 

• To devise a well-defined ATI legislative framework, engage stakeholders including shareholders and governments.   
• To lead all legal and governance best practice within ATI in an ethical and transparent manner.   
• To support the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors with interpreting the legal framework.  
• To maintain regular stakeholder/shareholder communications, through explaining the rules and constitutional norms of ATI to ATI member states, and potentially new member states.
   

Specific Responsibilities  

• To manage the corporate affairs, corporate governance and compliance of ATI;

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• To assist stakeholders i.e. shareholders and member states and potentially new  member states;
• To provide legal counsel to the Board of ATI and ensure that the Board’s operations  are in conformity with the relevant rules and regulations as outlined in ATI’s legal and operational documents; 
• To negotiate, draft, vet and interpret legal documents, agreements, treaties and conventions including but not limited to; operational manuals, memoranda of understanding with partners, corporate shareholder agreements, insurance contracts, and reinsurance agreements for and on behalf of ATI; 
• To work with the underwriting department in providing advice on legal implications of all insurance contracts and underlying commercial transactions, including claims and recovery; 
• Efficient and timely Legal archiving of all cases, documentation and all other issues, should be completed and communicated to the board in a transparent and regular basis; 
• To work with and liaise with DFI’s (including the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, KfW and others) and prospective ATI member countries in drafting, negotiating and concluding Development Credit Agreements, Host Country Agreements, Partnership Agreements and other legal documents for new members or shareholders joining the Agency; 
• To liaise with legal departments of member states up to the Ministerial level;
• To monitor legal and policy issues arising in the Region, and develop and implement  processes and procedures to ensure adequate awareness of legal and business risks in the Region; 
• To advise on legal issues affecting the offices and countries in the Region;
• To advise on the legal aspects of bank account, custody, and asset management  agreements;
• To work with the CEO and Senior Human Resources Specialist on aspects related  to staff and employment issues;
• To manage relationships with external legal advisors, retain external legal advisors,  monitor their use and advise on selection;
• To issue legal opinions as and when required;
• To maintain current knowledge of relevant laws of ATI member countries;
• To serve as a key member of the ATI management internal committees;
• To oversee the day-to-day activities of, and ensure the timely provision of high- quality legal services by, heads of legal (corporate and transactions);
• To actively participate in the day-to-day management of the Legal Department and  the setting of the strategic goals of the Department and communicate those goals to the Department; 
• To foster team building and knowledge-sharing within the Department and across the Agency; and facilitate staff development; 
• To identify staffing and hiring needs and manage recruitment and onboard staff to fill identified needs; 
• To monitor workflow, the volume of work deliverables and the delivery of work of direct reports; 
• To perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

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Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research;
• Good oral advocacy and writing skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and diligently meet deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and fluency in written and spoken English;
• Practical knowledge of insurance, civil law and international public law will be an  advantage;
• Experience in commercial litigation and international arbitration in a reputable law firm will be an added advantage;
• Fluency in written and spoken French (bilingual English/French) will be an advantage. 

The successful candidates must have suitable qualifications, experience and attributes as indicated under each job description. The roles requires excellent communications skills in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French and an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, will be an added advantage.

ATI offers a competitive salary and benefits package and a collegial working environment commensurate with other multilaterals. ATI reserves the right to not make an appointment to the above vacancies, or to make an appointment at a slightly higher or lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. ATI will only contact those applicants who are being actively considered for an interview.