United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Assistant Legal Counsel - Crown Agents

JOB TITLE – Assistant Legal Counsel
CONTRACT TYPE – Permanent, full-time
LOCATION – Currently Sutton, Surrey / possible London Office opening 2017
CLOSING DATE – 28th June 2016

BACKGROUND
A trusted global growth partner
delivering practical innovation and expertise
to transform the future for people around the world

Crown Agents is an international development company that partners with governments, aid organisations and companies in over 100 countries to make lasting changes to systems, organisations and society. Through consultancy and supply chain management, we help countries grow their economies, strengthen their health systems and improve financial management.

MAIN JOB PURPOSE

This role works to support Group Legal Counsel and business units with timely advice on various Group legal issues ranging from contractual arrangements with partners, subcontractors and consultants, tender submissions, various forms of guarantees, software purchase, development and licensing, international supply chain procurement and enquiries from our overseas offices.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide timely and accurate legal advice to all Crown Agents’ businesses both locally and internationally
• Provide practical legal solutions.
• Ensure that legal documents and other contractual documents are effectively and properly drafted, reviewed and interpreted in order to identify legal risks and minimise such risks and liabilities for the business
• Convey legal advice in a manner understandable to non-lawyers
• Draft, review, negotiate and provide legal advice to internal business clients on a wide range of contractual documents including confidentiality agreements, teaming and consortium agreements, joint venture agreements, subcontracts, consultancy agreements, services agreements, framework agreements, software development and licensing agreements, international supply chain arrangements and all forms of internal procurement undertaken by Crown Agents
• Review and advise on various forms of guarantees, letters of credit and related financial documents
• Provide advice on the Group’s existing and future intellectual property rights portfolio
• Advise on queries regarding existing operational projects and contracts, change requests and extensions.
• Liaise with Group Compliance on legal matters arising from existing and proposed contracts
• Review and provide advice on donor general and special conditions, tender documents and related matters.
• Review and advise on overseas office leases
• Manage minor disputes and litigation
• Assist with the development and review of template legal agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, services and consultancy agreements, collaboration agreements and subcontracts etc.
• Remain abreast of legal developments in the key jurisdictions in which Crown Agents operates
• Assist with the delivery of legal training and with the updating of legal training modules
Working collaboratively with other multi-disciplinary colleagues at Head office, other local offices and in international operations on contractual and legal matters relating to the day to day operation of the business.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Degree in Law, or recognised conversion course for non-legal graduates such as the Legal Practice Course or Graduate Diploma in Law qualification. Qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Experience in commercial/international procurement and consultancy/corporate law practice /in-house practice.
Knowledge of the international donor and aid sector an advantage.