Position:                           Legal Adviser (Maternity Cover)  

Term of Employment:     6 Months          

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa

Required Number:          One

Application Deadline:     July 21, 2023

BACKGROUND:

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading center of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

The Institute focuses on two primary national approaches to catalyze agricultural transformation. First, we support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), its affiliate institutions, and other partners to identify and address systemic bottlenecks within an Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Second, we support Regional Governments to accelerate the development of high-priority commodity value chains in clearly defined geographic clusters, through the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) Initiative.

Our major activities include conducting strategic and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading a number of implementation projects. Our headquarters are in Addis Ababa, and we have regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, South-West, and Tigray regional offices, allowing us to work closely with a wide range of public, private and development sector partners across the country.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented, dedicated, and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results. 

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector.  We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Legal Services Adviser is responsible to manage the activities of the Legal Services of ATA.  Advise the management on all legal negotiations and agreements; provide guidance to ensure smooth labor relations; represent ATA in court, quasi-judicial as well as administrative organs, and prepare legal briefs, arguments and testimonies. Investigate any breaches in compliance to the rules or directives or other relevant laws and organize investigation reports. Reviews and forwards investigation reports to the CEO and SMT.  Amend existing rules; determine the timing and appropriateness of introducing new rules to meet changing circumstances. Certify compliance to the rules and regulations of the ATA through interpreting the other pertinent laws. Develop plans and ensures the implementation of the work plans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Plan, organize, direct, and control the activities of the legal services team and develop a flexible annual plan that is aligned to the strategic plan of the ATA and ensures its successful implementation.

• Review employment-related contracts, contract terminations, and separation processes in order to ensure compliance with the ATA HR policy and government employment laws; 

• Support ATA HR team in reviewing HR policy, procedure, and process;

• Provide advice on a variety of legal issues of ATA and represent ATA before a court of law, quasi-judicial or administrative organ;

• Prepare responses to requests made by courts and law enforcement agencies and provide recommendations on the decisions of the court or any other organ to prevent or avoid unnecessary litigation and thereby minimize risks and maximize legal rights;

• Investigate any breaches in compliance to the rules or directives or other relevant laws and follows up on reports

• Conduct on-site inspection visits to regional ATA offices and partners and undertakes annual compliance audits;

• Review internal agreements and procedures, including those between sub-grantees and partners to determine legality and compatibility with rules and regulations governing the ATA;

• Provide legal advice in interpretation of the rules and regulations of the ATA and other pertinent laws applicable to the ATA;

• Plan, organize, coordinate and provide awareness creation programs to employees of the ATA  and  other partners  concerning rules and regulations  of ATA and other pertinent laws applicable to ATA

• Reviewing and negotiating agreements of third parties and responding to day-to-day legal or regulatory questions relating to the services provided by ATA   

• Monitor relevant legislation, regulations, case law, directives, circulars, and other appropriate sources of information and provide advice in relation thereto

• Evaluate the potential impact of changes in legislation and produce reports and high-level briefing papers where necessary.

• Provide support and guidance to staff and line managers as necessary in line with ATA and Government policies

• Take an active role in meetings, often drawing upon influencing and negotiation skills to ensure a satisfactory outcome is obtained

• Use judgment and initiative to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data, often taking multiple factors into account. Recognize when issues need to be referred to others for a decision

• Report on progress and achievement against priorities to Supervisor and Management.

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the position as may reasonably be required.

Job Requirements

LLB with 12 years or LLM with 10 years of work experience in judiciary, prosecution, and relevant fields and knowledge on the drafting of legal instruments

• Effective writing skills in Amharic and English

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

• Must be detail-oriented

• Must possess a high degree of multi-tasking capability

• Strong desire to learn

• Advanced  experience in Microsoft Word

• Ability to prioritize work and business needs

• Ability to work in a team environment

• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) using THIS LINK

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.