Senior Counsel

Role Purpose:
The Senior Counsel will be a senior member of the FIF global legal team capable of working independently and exercising independent judgement. The Senior Counsel will proactively and purposefully provide comprehensive legal and strategic advice to the FIF network, managing overall legal risk and developing and implementing practical solutions aligned with the business operations. This includes advising the management and Boards of Directors of a global network of financial institutions and service providers with legal entities in the Americas, Eurasia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In addition, the Senior Counsel will support all functions and will provide legal advice on a variety of areas, including corporate law, employment, contracts, banking and microfinance law, data protection, taxation, intellectual property, litigation, M&A and international business transactions. The Senior Counsel will support the General Counsel in supervising members of the global legal team and will also foster a culture of integrity and transparency.

Accountabilities:

• Proactively provide legal advice and practical solutions to managers and staff to ensure that legal risks are identified and mitigated, FIF's legal rights are protected and applicable laws and regulations are fully complied with.
• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, counsel and advise organization executives and functional heads on the legal aspects of projects and activities within their assigned areas.
• Stay abreast of the laws and regulations applicable to the US operations of the FIF network, as well as key laws and regulations that affect the operations of FIF entities abroad, and timely communicate such changes at the appropriate levels. Oversee the relationship of FIF entities with banking and microfinance regulators.
• Offer strategic guidance to FIF entities on matters concerning their legal and contractual rights and obligations. Negotiate, draft and review contracts and agreements, especially agreements with vendors and providers of technology services.
• Support the General Counsel with the selection, onboarding and performance evaluation of new attorneys and legal staff, including the Head Legal Officers of FIF subsidiaries.
• As requested by the General Counsel, coordinate and supervise the work of other attorneys and legal staff providing legal services to the network. Coordinate and supervise the training of the global legal team.
• Provide advice to FIF entities on matters concerning labor and employment laws and obligations, including terminations, internal investigations and grievance procedures.
• In coordination with the General Counsel and the Corporate Governance Director, provide advice and guidance on matters concerning the corporate governance of the FIF entities. Oversee decisions of the corporate governance bodies of the FIF subsidiaries, especially when affecting the rights of other FIF entities as shareholders.

Job Requirements:
Qualifications:

• Law degree from a recognized US institution.
• Admission to the practice of law in the District of Columbia.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in private practice or as in-house counsel.
• International experience.
• Experience in microfinance and/or banking preferred.
• Experience in other areas of law desirable (labor and employment, data protection, tax, litigation, contracts, etc.).

Knowledge and Skills:
Professionalism and high ethical standards.

Language Skills:

Fluency in English required. Fluency in Russian, French or Arabic desirable.

Travel Ability
Ability to travel via economy class when traveling by air or rail.