Position:   Legal Advisor

Division:   Legal

Report to:  Chief Legal Officer (CLO)/General Counsel
 
Band:       C

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth.  The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins.

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

• The Legal Advisor under the guidance of the General Counsel, is responsible for the analysis of legal matters, drafting of legal documents, and advising MCA-Nepal staff and the MCA-Nepal board related to contracts/agreements/MOUs which may have legal implications for the MCA-Nepal.

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Advice & Analysis

• Render sound analysis on legal issues to support decision-making by MCA-Nepal management and by the board;
• Advise MCA-Nepal management on the preparation and interpretation of transactional documentation (e.g. related to procurement documents, project agreements and employment contracts);

Legal Compliance & Due Diligence

• Draft contracts/agreements/MOUs ensuring that proper these are consistent with MCA-Nepal standards for risk mitigation, legal documentations, and with country legal statutes;
• Build networks within the local legal community and local regulatory agencies, to keep current with legal developments in the country and anticipate how these may affect the work of the MCA-Nepal;
• Oversee staff learning and development activities related to legal matters and ethics, to build an informed community and minimize the risks to the MCA-Nepal;

Contract Management

• Develop standardized contract/agreement/MOU formats for use across the MCA-Nepal, ensuring established practices are in place for the drafting of legal documents.

Support Corporate Secretary/ Chief Legal Officer

• Support  the Chief Legal Officer of the MCA-Nepal Board.  This includes developing and implementing procedures for the meetings of the Board and ensuring that Board meetings and actions comply with the requirements of the Compact, all related agreements, and the relevant governing documents of the MCA-Nepal (including any law or decree related to the creation or operation of the MCA-Nepal and the MCA-Nepal’s bylaws or other governing documents).  This function also includes responsibility for ensuring all necessary and appropriate records are produced and maintained by the MCA-Nepal;

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Completion of Bachelor's Degree in Law (Juris Doctor); and must be qualified and certified in good standing to practice law in Nepal.
• Specialized experience in the provision of legal advice with a particular emphasis on commercial contracting and labor law.
• Approximately five (5) or more years of relevant experience working at a law firm or as legal counsel, preferably with some experience serving as in-house counsel and some experience working in a law firm or as legal counsel in Nepal.  
• Demonstrated professionalism, good judgment, and flexibility to meet the needs of the position.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with peers as well as work across departments or divisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and institutions.
• A responsible and flexible attitude and capacity to simultaneously manage a variety of tasks, responsibilities, and shifting priorities and deadlines without supervision.
• Demonstrated history of delivering high quality projects and work product on time and within budget;
• The ability to work under pressure and against tight deadlines.
• Strong computer skills (e.g., MS Office, Internet).
• Written and verbal communication skills in English are beneficial but not necessary.