Background
The Commercial Legal Advisor will be based in State House and work directly with the Government of Sierra Leone Private Sector Development Team under the overall supervision of the United Nations Development Programme Economic Advisor.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Results:
- The preparation, management and conclusion of live Public Private Partnership deals supported, as relevant;
- Provide leadership in legal analysis, contract negotiation and execution with respect to Public Private Partnership transactions in partnership with Private Sector Advisor and Ministries, Departments and Agencies, on behalf of Government of Sierra Leone;
- Government of Sierra Leone Private Sector Development team and Public Private Partnership Unit as well as relevant counterparts in other line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) capacitated under the Capacity Development Plan as we as through hands-on training in the course of live Public Private Partnership processes;
- Facilitate regional exchange of relevant knowledge and experiences, with support from the United Nations Development Programme Regional Programme as relevant.
Functions:
- Provide leadership in legal analysis, contract negotiation and execution with respect to Public Private Partnership transactions in partnership with Private Sector Advisor and Ministries, Departments and Agencies, on behalf of Government of Sierra Leone;
- Represent the Government of Sierra Leone Private Sector Team when engaging with relevant line Ministries, other Government of Sierra Leone counterparts, donors and private sector stakeholders;
- Initially assist in startup and build out of legal capacity of Public Private Partnership focal points in Private Sector Advisor;
- Coordinate the day-to-day legal work of the Public Private Partnership focal points and report directly to the head of Private Sector Advisor;
- Manage and develop the legal capacity of permanent Private Sector Team member(s);
- Ensure that Private Sector Team members work within Private Sector Advisor remit and that both Private Sector Advisor and United Nations Development Programme reporting requirements are met;
- Document key work processes and lessons learned as cases for training purposes;
- Facilitate regional exchange of relevant knowledge and experiences, with support from the United Nations Development Programme Regional Programme as relevant;
- Liaise with other stakeholders and development partners working in related areas;
- Keep United Nations Development Programme informed of progress and important developments;
- Capacity Development Plan for commercial transactions skills designed and implemented;
- Government of Sierra Leone Private Sector Development team and Public Private Partnership Unit as well as relevant counterparts in other line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) capacitated under the Capacity Development Plan as we as through hands-on training in the course of live Public Private Partnership processes.
- Tendering of Public Private Partnership bids;
- Due diligence/scrutiny of investors and proposals;
- Cost/benefit analysis of Public Private Partnership proposals;
- Negotiation of Public Private Partnership agreements and key legal points to observe therein;
- Contracting/drafting of legal text to formalise agreements;
- Arbitrage/resolution of legal disputes;
- The preparation, management and conclusion of live Public Private Partnership deals supported, as relevant;
- Weaknesses in the current legal and regulatory framework related to Public Private Partnership deals identified and recommendations made for strengthening it.
Competencies
Leadership and Management
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams of legal professionals and external resources in deadline scenarios to consummate complex transactions;
- Ability to interact with Private Sector Team with enthusiasm, energy and positive and constructive attitude
- Coaching / Capacity Building
- Ability to develop skills of legal professionals among the Private Sector Team member(s) and in related Government of Sierra Leone organisations (i.e. Private Sector Advisor, Ministry of Trade, Export and Investment Promotion Agency);
- Ability to partner constructively with Private Sector Team members and the Private Sector Advisor, and pass on Public Private Partnership related legal transaction execution capacity and expertise.
- Appreciation of administrative, budgetary and implementation modalities of Government of Sierra Leone led projects/programmes.
- Effective communication via written and oral formats – capability to engage with others, listening and conversing appropriately.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals while supporting personal and professional development aspects.
- Create, lead, manage and monitor legal scope of projects and priority plans.
- Take ownership of all legal responsibilities/commitments while ensuring high quality work products and focus on results.
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Masters or equivalent in Law or greater.
Experience:
- At least 7 years of relevant experience in providing international legal advice to corporate, investment banks and other financial institutions on public and private mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, corporate governance, initial public offerings, equity issues, projects and tax;
- Experience with government transactions, privatizations and Public Private Partnerships a plus;
- Knowledge of and experience with results-based management methodologies and tools (project and programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation);
- Experience working in emerging/frontier markets is desirable; and
- Experience working with Governments in Less Developed Countries is highly desirable.
- Excellent written and spoken English.