Legal Director, Asia

About the role

The Legal Director plans and delivers high quality legal support for GEA as part of the global Legal team. This includes providing transaction support, corporate and policy support, working with partners and external service providers, and internal legal operations. relating to GEA’s operations across all relevant jurisdictions.

• Charitability: Provide support and guidance on GEA’s assessment, project management and execution and disbursement relating to charitable funding activities (i.e., grants, contracts for charitable purpose and program-related investments).
• Organizational Risk Management: Provide legal expertise in developing and delivering the organization's risk management and/or control policies and procedures.
• Operations Management: Provide support and guidance on legal aspects of procurement, internal management and formulation of internal policies and procedures.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, makes nimble plans accounting for a range of risks and contingencies. Achieves greater cohesion, integration, and alignment between own group and other areas. Both persistent in adversity and nimble in change.

Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations.

Knowledge, Skills and Required Experience

The ideal candidate would be a self-starter and be willing to “roll up their sleeves” to adapt to working in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Recognising GEA’s unique position and its stage of organisational life, the ideal candidate would be interested in contributing to and building a strong, enduring organisation.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience include:

• Qualifications: Fully qualified lawyer in India, US, UK or other common law jurisdiction; Experience: with at least 8-10 years’ experience gained in an international law firm of repute and/or in-house in a multinational institution. International qualification preferred given multinational nature of the intended role.;

• Expertise: Experience of working on matters in India and more widely in other countries in South and South East Asia and Middle East and experience of energy and infrastructure financing work in emerging markets;
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills, with attention to detail and an ability to distil information and explain steps and legal concepts in a succinct, accessible way;
• Organisation and management: Excellent transaction/project management and organisational skills, with the ability to multi-task effectively and a willingness to take ownership and responsibility for own work;
• An understanding of the requirements and processes followed by development finance institutions.
• Experience working with governments, public and private sector entities and an understanding of issues arising from activities in emerging markets.
• Experience working in multiple emerging markets jurisdictions with other stakeholders and advisors.
• Excellent project management, negotiation, drafting and analytical skills.
• Strong academics; and
• Ability to oversee and effectively manage external counsel.

In addition, the following would be a bonus:

• Experience of working in jurisdictions across Africa and Latin American & the Caribbean;
• Experience of working on energy and infrastructure-related matters including, specifically, climate finance, renewable energy, energy transition and sustainable development; and
• Experience with environmental, social, governance and business integrity matters.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, helps team hold each other accountable for goals, adherence to policies and procedures. Tracks team metrics and milestones, redirecting effort, as necessary, for continued progress.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, engages diverse groups by communicating in a way that matches each group's preferences. Listens carefully and probes beneath the surface to gain richer insight on others' views.
• Balances Stakeholders: Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. For example, shares stakeholder feedback while inspiring others to consistently seek input and learn from their internal and external stakeholders. Promotes an environment of high ethical standards and cross-cultural sensitivity in working with all stakeholders.
• Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, encourages others to take timely action and take on new challenges with a can-do attitude. Secures new business opportunities.
• Strategic Mindset: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. For example, provides a clear picture of the organization's vision and strategy and what the team needs to do to realize them. Develops longer-term strategies that capitalize on the organization's distinct capabilities and emerging trends in the market.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, encourages and rewards continuous improvement and quality outcomes. Equips others to handle day-to-day tasks effectively on their own. Integrates systems to improve quality and service.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. For example, sees and seizes possible opportunities in unknown situations. Steers others skilfully with a stabilizing presence and clear targeted coaching in order to make significant progress.
• Organizational Savvy: Manoeuvres comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics. For example, builds support for ideas among key decision makers and stakeholders. Anticipates political difficulties and identifies ways to overcome any resistance.

Key Relationships

• External-facing interactions will include: assisting on GEA’s charitable funding and programmatic efforts, providing support and advice in relation to GEA’s fundraising activities, and interaction with, and management of, external counsel in India, Singapore, the US and other jurisdictions.
• Internal-facing interactions will include: working with GEA staff and relevant stakeholders on a variety of matters including policies and procedures, corporate governance, intellectual property, employment matters and compliance.