General Counsel

Job Description

About Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Timor-Leste

MCA Timor-Leste, collaborating with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the Government of the United States of America, is responsible for implementing the $420 million Timor-Leste Compact, together with an additional contribution of $64 million from the Government of Timor-Leste—representing a total $484 million investment in Timor-Leste. The Compact aims to address human capital development as a binding constraint to economic growth in Timor-Leste through two projects: the Water, Sanitation, and Drainage (WSD) Project and the Teaching and Leading the Next generation of Timorese (TALENT) Project.

The General Counsel, reporting to the Executive Director, serves as the principal legal officer and senior policy advisor on legal matters, as well as a technical resource to the MCA Board of Directors and management team and other staff of the MCA. The General Counsel will also serve as the corporate secretary to the Board of the MCA.

Duties and Responsibilities

Guide the strategic development of the MCA ensuring that liabilities and risks are addressed, and all MCA actions and operations are compliant with country laws;
Review contracts/agreements/MOUs and other legally binding documents and ensure that these align with the programmatic needs of the MCA and comply with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements;
Represent the MCA to MCC and the Board, and before courts and arbitral tribunals, regulatory, and administrative bodies, on all legal matters and on decision-making and negotiations, which may have legal implications;
Lead negotiations between the MCA and the host country government or with external partner organizations, ensuring that the MCA’s interests are projected and protected, and risks are identified and mitigated;
Establish contractual, legal, and documentary Board procedures, by-laws, ethics standards, and frameworks consistent with the requirements of MCC, the Compact, and local law;
Collaborate on the development of a Human Resources framework and staffing plan that is aligned with the overall plan of the MCA and in accordance with the Compact, MCC personnel management policies, and national labor law and regulatory requirements;
Assist in the recruitment of, and supervise, the Staff Attorney, and determine the need for additional legal experts (including outside counsel), identify possible sources for such experts, to support the provision of strong legal advice, aligned with the strategic needs of the MCA; and
Perform any other duties or tasks, as required.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

Education

Completion of Advanced University Degree in Law (Juris Doctor) and qualification to practice law in Timor-Leste.

Experience and Technical Competencies

Minimum of 10 years of work experience in rendering legal opinions at a corporate level. Experience with high level negotiation and expertise in contract and labor law.
Fluency in English and Portuguese, both spoken and written.

Applications documents must include: 1). A cover letter highlighting the candidate's background and work experience related to the requirements (education, experience, competencies); 2). A CV describing the candidate's qualifications and experience related to the PDs.; 3). Electronic copy of the relevant Academic Certificate(s); and 4). A list of 3 professional references (including at least 1 former supervisor), including name, title, relationship with the candidate, telephone number, and e-mail address.

To ensure equal opportunity and neutrality, application documents should not include details related to: age, marital status, political and religious affiliation, family information.

Short-listed candidates will be expected to submit samples of relevant past work assignments and demonstrate English proficiency. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and security checks, results of which will form the basis for the final hiring decisions. For any queries, please contact: TimorLeste@developmentaid.org