Director, Public Sector - Legal

Job Profile:

The Director assists the General Counsel at the operational level and ensures delivery of legal services to Public Sector Operations (PSO) and Strategy, in accordance with the institutional strategy and framework. The Director leads the team responsible for PSO sovereign operations and Strategy matters, ensures quality control of the team’s output, and develops the team’s knowledge and skills on legal issues within the Unit’s areas of coverage. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy, policy development and implementation 

• Provides input to the development or review of operational and/or departmental strategy and objectives set by the General Counsel, as well as operational policies and procedures.
• Leads the legal team responsible for supporting PSO and Strategy departments in implementing their annual work program and ensuring the achievement of the institution’s mid- to long-term goals, strategic targets and annual objectives.

Legal advice and services

• Coordinates the provision of legal services to PSO and Strategy, including: 
  • (i) advising on all new lending instruments and modalities, as well as operational policy matters;
  • (ii) drafting and negotiating legal agreements and related documents for operational matters under PSO and Strategy (including sovereign project & program loans, sovereign trade finance, grants, trust funds and partnerships) across all lending and non-lending windows and instruments; 
  • (iii) conducting due diligence on projects or programs proposed by PSO or Strategy, as the case may be, including reviewing local legal and regulatory requirements; and
  • (iv) providing legal support throughout the project life cycle
• Assigns Counsel to participate in the technical review of new operations,  project appraisal missions, and the review of project concept notes, appraisal reports and Board papers for presentation to the Loan Committee and the Governing Board
• Provides guidance to the team, ensuring quality output and prompt service delivery in the drafting, reviewing, negotiating and finalizing of all legal documentation required for PSO and Strategy, including grant operations or partnerships
• Manages all matters relating to legal policies for loans and the development and management of applicable legal templates for operational matters
• Collaborates with colleagues from other departments in the design of new financing instruments and formulation of new operational policies and procedures
  Identifies issues of legal importance related to OPEC Fund’s operations, supervises benchmarking, research and analysis on such legal issues (including drafting of applicable legal opinions) and brings the matters to the attention of the General Counsel for consideration, with relevant recommendations

Leadership and direction

• Leads, mentors and develops the team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and high performance
• Oversees talent development, performance management, capacity building and succession planning, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Drives improvements in legal service delivery by recommending streamlined processes, enhanced workflows and the improved use of legal knowledge management, document management and digital tools
• Leads institutional or departmental initiatives to support the discharge of the OPEC Fund’s mandate and achievement of goals and objectives
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of the knowledge assets of LS as well as capacity building and knowledge sharing within the department and organization
• Supports the General Counsel in managing Legal Service’s strategic objectives and contributes to the effective delivery of the department’s mandate

Stakeholder management and engagement

• Liaises with co-lenders, partners and external counsel as required, and represents the OPEC Fund in legal reviews or dispute resolution proceedings assigned by the General Counsel
• Manages engagement with external stakeholders, including other MDBs, external counsel, partner countries, as well as internal stakeholders

Performs any other related tasks as assigned by the General Counsel to contribute to the success of the Unit and Legal Services.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in law and admission to the Bar or equivalent or a (closely) related field. 
• A minimum of 15 years relevant professional experience, including five (5) years at a senior level. Preferably, at least five (5) years of this experience should have been gained at an international development finance institution or multilateral development bank.
• Ability to manage and resolve a range of complex legal issues to mitigate legal, operational and institutional risks
• Ability to coordinate a complex range of activities with a view to achieving departmental objectives
• Ability to coordinate the activities of LS-Public Sector Team on an ongoing basis, and to support, mentor staff and build a strong team 
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.

Competencies:

• Collaboration and Teamwork - Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders (internal and external), and partners from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to achieve shared goals.
• Effective Communication - Ability to articulate ideas and information clearly and persuasively across various channels and audiences, integrate communication best practices, and ensure messages are tailored, culturally sensitive, and impactful, promoting active listening and feedback mechanisms.
• Results-Orientation - Ability to effectively achieve results through proactive ownership, decisive action and strategic planning. ensuring goals are met within specified timeframes and in alignment with OPEC Fund’s strategic direction
• Learning Agility and Adaptability - Ability to swiftly learn, unlearn, and adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges, with a commitment to continual growth through embracing new ideas, technologies, updating functional expertise, and facilitating organizational resilience
• Stakeholder and Impact Focus - Ability to prioritize and address the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact through stakeholder mapping, ensuring effective relationship management, transparent and timely communication, and aligning their contributions with OPEC Fund’s mission to deliver long-term, positive outcomes
• Accountability - Ability to take responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and their outcomes, demonstrating integrity and reliability, adhering to established internal controls, setting clear expectations, and maintaining a high standard of ethical behavior.

Leadership Competencies:

• Inclusive Leadership & People Management - Ability to lead and manage diverse teams effectively, fostering an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered, cultivating a collaborative environment, driving team performance, and supporting professional development through mentorship and equitable opportunities.
• Cultural Sensitivity - Ability to lead teams by understanding, respecting, and adapting to cultural differences in a global organization, fostering inclusive communication, collaboration, and relationships while strategically leveraging cultural insights to enhance organizational effectiveness and drive success.
• Strategic Planning and Execution - Ability to develop and implement effective strategies that align with OPEC Fund’s long-term goals, utilizing relevant tools to set clear objectives, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor progress to ensure the successful execution of strategic initiatives, driving organizational growth and sustainability.
• Managerial Accountability and Responsibility - Ability to take ownership of decisions and actions, ensuring alignment with OPEC Fund’s values and objectives, applying relevant principles to establish clear accountability structures, set performance standards, and maintain transparency in reporting and decision-making processes.
• Ethical Decision-Making - Ability to make decisions that uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, adhering to OPEC Fund’s code of conduct, and ensuring that choices are principled, transparent, and aligned with the Fund’s mission and values, fostering a culture of trust and responsibility.
• Conflict Resolution - Ability to effectively manage and resolve conflicts to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment, using relevant strategies to identify underlying issues, and facilitating mutually beneficial solutions, ensuring that conflicts are resolved constructively and relationships are strengthened.