Terms of reference: Global Legal Advisor (Part-time)

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions; and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. 

Within SNV, the Global Risk & Compliance (R&C) Team steers, coordinates and monitors the organisation’s risk and compliance environment. This includes maintaining and improving SNV standards and operational policy and risk frameworks, as well as steering risk, support and monitoring on legal, tax, donor contracts, supplier procurement and contracting, project execution, and country logistics. In doing so, the Team ensures clear levels of accountability towards SNV’s board, global and country management teams. 

Job Description

• Part-time – 20-24 hours/week, equivalent to 2.5-3 days/week (flexible)
• Contract type: Consultancy
• Desired start-date: Immediately
• Contract Length: 1-year (option to extend)
• Work Arrangement: Option to work hybrid / in-office (available if the candidate is located in one of SNV’s Countries of operations) or fully remote (must be available during Central European Time zone daytime work hours).

To support the continued robustness of SNV’s internal governance, oversight and advisory of legal issues, we are seeking a part-time, experienced, and collaborative Global Legal Advisor to join the Global R&C Team. This role reports to the Global Legal and Governance Lead and collaborates closely with R&C Team members (mostly based in the Netherlands) as well as peers and senior leaders across SNV’s countries and operations. 

The Global Legal Advisor will provide contract review and legal advisory to all country offices, as well as legal coordination and corporate governance services to the Netherlands office. 

(Level of Effort estimates are indicative only) 

Contract Reviews and Drafting (50-60%): Perform contract review, drafting and advisory on Business Development contracts, partnership agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Country contracts with partners, suppliers, donors, etc. 

Legal Advisory (25-30)%: Advise, asked and unasked, on country legal issues such as, property ownership, and constitution of new or closure of existing legal entities. Serve as an effective advisor or sparring partner for colleagues from peer functions on legal issues. 

Legal Coordination (10-20%): Coordinate relations and contract/account management with SNV’s external legal advisors, notaries, and related service providers. 

Governance (10-20%): Coordinate and/or oversee statutory records such as corporate registrations, filings, regulations. Facilitate corporate governance processes such as appointment and resignation of directors, shifting of registered office, compounding applications, etc. Ensure SNV has a license to operate in the countries it works in. Assure up-to-date Power of Attorney to Country Directors. 

Qualifications

Essential Skills/Experience 

• Advanced university degree in law from a recognised university and successful passing of the Bar Exam
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in legal advisory and/or contract reviews/ drafting within a complex international environment
• Minimum 3 years’ solid experience in coordinating corporate compliance and accreditation processes
• High degree of fluency in English – Clear and concise communication (written/spoken) is essential
• Experience working in international and multicultural contexts
• Strong persuasion, personal authority, and diplomatic skills
• A flexible team player who is self-directed, detail-oriented, communicative, and a proven problem-solver.
• Able to build trust and collaborative working relationships
• Strong ability to work methodically and prioritize workloads. In doing so, achieve a good balance between speed and exactness
• High integrity, ethical standards, and openness with colleagues

Additional Preferred Skills/Experience 

• Master’s degree in a legal discipline with an international orientation
• Experience in Corporate Affairs or Board Secretariat positions
• Dutch and/or French language skills
• Experience in project organisations with multiple financing sources
• Thorough understanding and experience in these sectors: international NGO, international development cooperation and/or international consultancy

Additional Information

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on 28 April, 2024. Candidates are also welcome to include additional information, files, links, offers, or any other documentation related to their application. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be processed in the strictest confidence. 

CV Format

CVs need to demonstrate the basis of the relevant qualifications, expertise, and skills of the individual to carry out the assignment, highlighting the most relevant experience in the context of the assignment. The CV of the consultant must show essential characteristics of the knowledge, relevant professional experience in similar works and skills. SNV may ask for copies of certifications, diplomas, contracts, or other documents described in the CV(s) of the shortlisted Consultants. 

• SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Payment terms 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to propose a daily fee rate and terms during the evaluation. 

Level of effort

The total maximum number of days that can be claimed to complete the work is 12 days per month. Any extensions to the number of working days will be in consultation with the relevant contact person and confirmed in writing by both parties. 

Work Authorization

Candidate is fully responsible for arranging own legal work authorization, registrations, and taxes. For this role the option is to work hybrid / in-office (available if the candidate is located in one of SNV’s Countries of operations) or fully remote (must be available during Central European Time zone daytime work hours). 

Reference Checks

SNV may request to contact 3 references from the candidate’s past employment. 

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation will be made based on the following 3 criteria: 

• CV of proposed consultant (evidence of knowledge and/or experience working with the requirements mentioned above (25 points max)
• Interview with SNV procurement panel for the consultant (50 points max)
• Daily fee (25 points max)

Data protection 

The review and scoring are closed processes and are not open to the public. The data received shall be validated by SNV through remote and/or physical checks and processed following SNV’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) framework (which complies with the European Union’s GDPR 2018), the hardcopy and electronic data you provide will be kept secure and will only be processed by SNV for procurement and project execution purposes. The data will be kept for 7 years, after which they will be destroyed by SNV. By submitting your signed self-declaration and participating in the SNV process, you agree with this data use, storage, and processing of the data provided. 

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