CIFOR Vacancy: Legal Officer Director General’s Office, Bogor

Legal Officer

Director General’s Office (Ref. 1429)
Bogor, Indonesia

The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is a nonprofit, global research organization dedicated to advancing human well-being, environmental conservation and equity.

We conduct research that enables more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of tropical and sub-tropical forest landscapes. We help policy makers and practitioners shape effective policy, improve the management of tropical forests and address the needs and perspectives of people who depend on forests for their livelihoods. Our multidisciplinary approach considers the underlying drivers of deforestation and degradation which often lie outside the forestry sector: forces such as agriculture, infrastructure development, trade and investment policies and law enforcement.

CIFOR is looking for
Legal Officer

Overview

Under the supervision of the Project Systems Manager, the Legal Officer will provide effective and efficient legal expertise and support in all aspects of CIFOR’s institutional operations. This will [GM1] [SK(2] include fields such as Intellectual Property (IP), contracts, organizational, corporate and international law.

Summary of responsibilities

CIFOR’s institutional agreements and policies: 

• Draft, negotiate and/or revise agreements (Host Agreements [HA], Memorandum of Understanding [MoU], Letters of Agreement with Donors and Partners [LoA], Non-Disclosure Agreements [NDA], Licensing Agreements, etc.) on behalf of CIFOR [GM3] [NLP(4] with partners. 
• Build and maintain the IP database in the Project Management System based on all CIFOR’s LoAs with donors and partners. 
• Oversee the compliance and governance of all agreements with CIFOR, donors and CGIAR policies and requirements. 
• Provide advice and guidance to staff members in order to build capacity, leverage knowledge and ensure effective and consistent intellectual asset management at CIFOR (e.g. by developing legal and intellectual asset management tools and models in areas such as licensing, public-private partnerships). 
• Keeping abreast of legal and policy developments at national, regional and international levels, and provide updates and advice on relevant developments in law.  
• Provide legal advice related to IP as required: open access, copyright, research data management and data protection, trademarks, patents, access and benefit sharing, farmers’ rights, traditional knowledge, etc.

CGIAR Legal and IP Network (CLIPnet): 

• Represent CIFOR as a member of CLIPnet, together with the Project Systems Manager, keeping CIFOR abreast of the latest CLIPnet developments and activities. 
• Draft the Center’s Intellectual Assets Management Report for review and approval prior to submission to the CGIAR on an annual basis.

Other:

• Provide legal advice and guidance with other units within CIFOR, as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education, knowledge and experience

• Advanced degree in law (LL.B) from a recognized university with knowledge and experience in intellectual property, contracts, tort, etc.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in international transactions and IP in the agricultural/biological field.
• Excellent knowledge of intellectual property law and licensing as applied to agriculture and environment.
• Demonstrate a good grasp of relevant laws including, but not limited to, laws governing international non-profit organizations; Indonesian law, IP law and related international laws and treaties, labor laws and corporate governance.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting complex legal agreements and ability to perform work of a confidential nature with a high level of integrity.
• Excellent communication and reporting/drafting skills in English.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated self-direction, judgment, and initiative.
• Fast learner.
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Competent in personal organization and priority setting, with the ability to work effectively under time pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Have initiative and capable of working independently as well as an effective team player.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Experience working with a wide and diverse network of groups and individuals.
• Proactive, target driven and diligent.

Terms and Conditions

• This is a nationally recruited position. CIFOR offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of 2 years, including a 6 months probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be at CIFOR Headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia.

Application process

• The application deadline is 5 October 2014
• We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

To apply, please visit our career site at: HERE