Acting General Counsel / Senior Legal Officer

Acting General Counsel / Senior Legal Officer

Location:                     Montpellier, France

Position:                     Short-term assignment in part covering a maternity leave (about 6 months) and in part as a complement to the CGIAR Consortium Legal Team (about 6 months)
Duration:                     Approximately 1 year (preferably starting mid-August 2015)
Reports to:                  CEO / General Counsel
Closing date:               14 July 2015 or until filled

Background

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of this work. The funders, represented by the CGIAR Fund, include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations, and international and regional organizations. The work they support is carried out by 15 members of the CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. The Consortium is an international organization headquartered in Montpellier, France.

The CGIAR Consortium’s 15 member centers have about 10,000 staff based in 80 countries, built on a common vision described in the Strategy and Results Framework for mobilizing agricultural research to reduce poverty and hunger, improve human health and nutrition, and enhance sustainable management of natural resources in the developing world.

Following a decision by the Fund Council in April 2015, the governance of the CGIAR system will undergo significant change in the coming year. The Fund Council decided to establish by July 2016 a new CGIAR System organization comprised of a CGIAR System Council and a CGIAR System Office, building on the existing legal personality of the CGIAR Consortium. The new CGIAR System Office will be based in Montpellier (where the current Consortium Office is located) and will have an interim structure built on the existing staff within the System to ensure continued support for the System.

Primary purpose of the position

The CGIAR Consortium is seeking an individual for a short term assignment as Acting General Counsel to cover a maternity leave for the General Counsel, and as Senior Legal Officer to temporarily reinforce the Consortium Legal Team upon the General Counsel’s return.

As Acting General Counsel, the individual will be responsible for overseeing a team of two, comprised of a Legal Officer and a part-time assistant, as well as consultants. Reporting to the CEO, the Acting General Counsel will lead and manage the CGIAR Consortium’s legal affairs and intellectual property (IP) function, providing strategic and legal advice on all relevant matters for the CGIAR Consortium.

As Senior Legal Officer, the individual will provide legal support to the General Counsel, in particular with regard to the work arising out of the transition to the new System Organization.

Typical duties and responsibilities:

As Acting General Counsel, the individual will, in liaison with appropriate CGIAR personnel:

1. Manage all legal matters involving or affecting the CGIAR Consortium as an independent legal entity, in order to ensure proper compliance and stewardship at the CGIAR Consortium level.
2. Working closely with the Senior Governance Officer and a legal consultant, contribute to the transition to the new System Organization by leading and/or contributing to the development of the governing documents, legal agreements and arrangements and policies that need to be put in place to establish the CGIAR System Organization and make it operational.
3. Help prepare the second round of CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) by providing relevant guidance (e.g., regarding intellectual asset management, governance, partnership arrangement) and templates, by reviewing CRP proposals (pre-proposals and full proposals), and drafting funding agreements with the CRP Lead Centers.
4. Draft, negotiate and/or review agreements on behalf of the Consortium, in partnership with other internal business functions.
5. Oversee the implementation of the CGIAR Principles on the Management of Intellectual Assets including the development, on an annual basis, of the CGIAR Intellectual Asset Report.
6. Coordinate the CGIAR Legal and Intellectual Property Network (CLIPnet) to ensure more effective and consistent management of intellectual assets and IP rights by Consortium members and in the CRPs, and act as the Consortium Legal / IP focal point.
7. In partnership with the Science team, engage on strategic IP or genetic resources related issues for CGIAR as appropriate.
8. Attend Consortium Board and board committee meetings as relevant, and provide strategic advice in order to facilitate decision-making in the best interests of the Consortium.
9. Set the objectives and strategies, and manage the budget and the day-to-day activities of the Consortium legal/ IP function, including the supervision of its staff and external consultants.
10. Carry out such other functions as may be necessary to further the Consortium’s purpose.

Essential qualifications & competencies:

• Advanced university law degree; member of accredited bar is strongly advised.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience at a top-tier law firm and/or in an in-house legal department, including corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, international transactions and grant agreements, and intellectual property management.
• Management experience in a multi-cultural setting and experience working in cross-functional, matrix work environments.
• Ability to negotiate and draft complex legal agreements and documents.
• Ability to develop and manage relationships with a range of different stakeholders groups
• Strategic thinking, political acumen.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated drive, self-direction, judgment, and initiative.
• Integrity and credibility
• Fast learner.

Desirable competencies and qualifications:

• Working knowledge of French.
• Experience with reorganizations or mergers and acquisitions.

Terms and conditions: The Acting General Counsel / Senior Legal Officer will be based inMontpellier, France, and will be contracted by the CGIAR Consortium for a period of approximately one year. Relocation package and education grant (for children that do not speak French) available. Compensation will be attractive and commensurate with the level of expertise and experience. Travel will be expected.

Applications: Candidates are invited to send their application letter and CV by e-mail toConsortium-HR@cgiar.org

The Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres is committed to providing an attractive, multicultural and international work environment that reflects the values of teamwork, gender equality, and respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package (for an international non-profit organization).