Legal Counsel - Institutional

Grade: IS-4
Deadline: 31 January 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 129,400 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable)): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. The GCF has a portfolio of 286 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 15.9 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.

Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. 
 

Position Objective
The Legal Counsel will carry out duties under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel on institutional legal matters to support the objective of the Fund. This includes legal advice and support on the Fund’s governance framework, human resources, intellectual property, privileges and immunities, contributor & trustee relations, policies, instructions, guidelines as well as draft board decisions.  The Legal Counsel will also play an integral role in mediation, arbitration, and litigation that the Fund is a party to. S/he will provide legal advice and support relating to the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of agreements in non-project and operational matters in which the Fund is engaged.

Purpose 

• Assist the Associate General Counsel in the work of the institutional team in administrative matters related to the Fund’s governance framework, including its Governing Instrument, Rules of Procedure of the Board, human resources, intellectual property and procurement issues as well as the interpretation and application of institutional policies;
• Assist the Associate General Counsel in implementing the Fund’s strategy on privileges & immunities, and negotiating international agreements including relating to privileges & immunities and host country relations, and all contractual arrangements with counterparties which do not involve project or grant activities. This includes memoranda of understanding, exchange of letters, contribution agreements, trustee-related agreements, and other general cooperation agreements;
• Managing litigation, including by drafting pleadings before internal bodies and external tribunals arising out of employment-related disputes;
• Keep abreast of developments in the legal field especially in relation to international administrative law and climate finance; and
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Associate General Counsel and the General Counsel.

Engagement

• Provide legal support to other divisions on matters relating to the institutional and governance issues affecting the Fund; 
• Under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel, support, guide and collaborate with other Legal Counsel, Associate Counsel, consultants and interns within the institutional practice group of the Office of the General Counsel;
• Participate in the Fund’s Board meetings and other events and meetings, as may be required. This may include the preparation and review of relevant documentation, close consultation and collaboration with the Associate Counsel and other Legal Counsel, consultants and interns, and making presentations to internal and external bodies; and
• Liaise with other offices and departments within the GCF in order to assess and address their requirements, to advise on the drafting of legal documents.

Delivery

• Thorough, accurate and timely review and delivery of all agreements relating to the institutional issues affecting all proposals and other legal documents necessary for the Fund’s legal and policy framework;
• Keeping members of the Office of General Counsel updated on the latest trends/developments in public international law, international administrative law, including ILOAT jurisprudence, and multilateral finance; and
• Providing sound and practical legal advice on the institutional policy framework as well as the administrative operations of the Fund with respect to the Governing Instrument, Rules and Procedure of the Board and other applicable legal framework.

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

• Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree (a higher degree in law is an advantage);
• Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction;
• At least 9 years of relevant work experience practicing public international law including  international administrative  law, in a well-recognized law firm, an international financial institution and/or a development institution;
• Solid legal drafting skills specifically of drafting rules, regulations, guidelines, practice notes and legal opinions within the context of an internal governance framework;
• Experience working on development finance, climate finance or international financial transactions are advantages;
• Experience liaising with and advising management and senior members of staff is an advantage;
• Experience managing the work of external counsel, junior counsel, consultants and interns is an advantage;
• Experience in, or working with, developing countries; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Required Competencies

• Planning and Organizing
• Teamwork
• Building trust
• Communication
• Accountability
• Managing Performance
   

The closing date for application is 31 January 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. 

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.