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Posted June 08, 2019

General Counsel

WOCCU
Washington, D.C. Full Time

This position is responsible for legal guidance, oversight, and compliance in international and domestic business transactions for World Council of...

This position is responsible for legal guidance, oversight, and compliance in international and domestic business transactions for World Council of Credit Unions and its affiliated organizations. A large percentage of the General Counsel duties include compliance with US Agency for International development (USAID) and other donors’ regulations and applicable laws.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employs independent judgment and initiative to ensure appropriateness and compliance of contracts and grants. In close collaboration with technical staff, accounting staff and field offices, review and approve program and affiliated contracts prior to signing, negotiate contract terms and ensure compliance with World Council policies. Serve as World Council’s contract representative to donors, funders, contractors, and development partners. Oversees, administers and tracks contract and grant negotiations, contracting, tracking and compliance for all development projects and other World Council programs.

International and Domestic Business Transactions:
In close collaboration with department managers, reviews and approves contracts, negotiates contract terms if necessary and oversees compliance with World Council’s policies and systems.
Advises and performs legal work for international and domestic business transactions related to both donor-funded and private-sector initiatives.
Oversees legal issues related to the implementation of World Council contracts with vendors and other third-parties including natural-person consultants; brings legal issues to attention of senior management.
Monitors compliance with contractual terms and conditions, legal requirements and World Council policies. Resolves legal issues related to contracts, bringing in program managers as necessary.
Maintains current copies of contract files (electronic and hard copy).
Oversees and carries out due diligence process with respect to third-parties.
 

2. Legal Compliance:

Oversees compliance with federal contracting regulations applicable to USAID and other donor-funded projects, the USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) and other relevant provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), as well as USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS).
Oversees compliance with other laws applicable to World Council and its affiliates including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, intellectual property laws, tax laws, employment laws, laws of foreign jurisdictions, and so forth.
Provides legal advice on a range of topics typically related to legal compliance and contracting issues.
Conducts legal research and investigation on potential claims and defenses; develops oral and written advice and presents recommendations to management.
 

3. Donor-Funded Contract and Grant Implementation:

In close collaboration with World Council technical staff, accounting staff and field offices, reviews and approves all Technical Services department contracts,
Negotiates grant and contract acquisition, modification and extension terms if necessary,
Liaises with and advises World Council technical and accounting staff in implementation and oversight of project operations compliance with donor requirements and World Council’s policies,
Reviews final proposals before submission to donors,
Ensure all contracts and grants (including new, extensions, and amendments) incorporate the conditions agreed on between World Council, partners, and the funder,
Oversees World Council’s donor-funded contract compliance in the implementation of project contracts, grants, sub-grants, sub-contracts and cooperative agreements; brings compliance issues to attention of senior management,
Provides guidance on interpretation of donor regulations, contractual requirements, compliance and risk analysis to business development, technical services and field implementation staff.
Works with Accounting and Technical Services departments to prevent, prepare for, respond to and resolve program audit issues.
Implements field administrative and policies compliance audits.
Negotiates grant and contract acquisitions, modifications and extensions. Liaises with donors in contract negotiations. Ensures all contracts and grants (including new, extensions, and amendments) incorporate the criteria agreed on between World Council, any partners, and the funder.
Drafts, negotiates and consults with Technical Services regarding subcontracts/sub-agreements—including with third-parties including corporate entities and natural persons—and memoranda of understanding as necessary under donor-funded and self-financed projects.
Maintains current copies of project contract files (electronic and hard copy).
Reviews employment letters and updates to same for staff hired under donor-funded contracts, grants and cooperative agreements; Ensures field employment of local staff meets local legal requirements and World Council policies,
Acts as internal compliance representative to include updating the project implementation manuals,
Respond to any request from contracting officers during close downs.
Oversees and carries out due diligence process with respect to third-parties,
Supports award tracker system to verify documentation is compiled for award compliance and audit review,
 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be a strong self-starter who is able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to ensure individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience: A Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and status as a member in good standing of the bar of any state or the District of Columbia. A minimum five years related experience working with USAID regulations, including specific knowledge of the USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) and other relevant provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) such as 2 CFR Part 200, as well as USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS). Experience with administration of donor-funded development projects, donor regulations, corporate policies, administrative and business procedures, and development activities. Familiarity with the funding, design, analysis and operation of business development programs. Experience advising on international business transactions is a plus.

Reasoning Skills: The successful candidate will have above-average legal reasoning skills with respect to complex factual and legal scenarios occurring on a cross-border or domestic basis. A detail-oriented nature and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently are essential.

Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills required to maintain effective working relationships within and outside of World Council. Demonstrated ability to work as a team player towards organizational goals and objectives. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to coordinate and monitor work flows to and from multiple sources.

Language Skills: Very high language skills required including the ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal documents. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing in English is required. Fluency in French or Spanish is preferred. Excellent writing and editing skills; including the ability to communicate concepts and ideas successfully.

Computer Skills: Working knowledge of the web with proven skills in Microsoft Suite products (Word and Excel 2003; Access, Power Point, Outlook, etc.).

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:

Applicants must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.
 

TRAVEL: Up to 60 days per calendar year; domestic and some international.
 

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

This listing expired on Aug 07. Applications are no longer accepted.

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