Regional Legal Counsel - CIMMYT

World Agroforestry
World Agroforestry

Legal

Nairobi, Kenya

Posted on Jul 8, 2026

About Us

CIFOR & ICRAF in action

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.

CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.

Overview

About our organization: CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org CIMMYT is looking for a: Regional Legal Counsel The Regional Legal Counsel is an in-house lawyer who provides comprehensive legal support for all CIMMYT operations in the region. This position advises on contracts, legal transactions, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and all other legal matters relevant to the department. The role ensures effective legal coverage across the region and contributes to the delivery of legal services throughout CIMMYT’s regional operations.

Job Description

  1. Lead contract drafting, review, negotiation, and administration for grants, research agreements, procurement, leases, NDAs, Host Country Agreements, and related legal instruments to ensure legal soundness and timely operational support.
  2. Provide practical legal advice across multiple jurisdictions on corporate, regulatory, employment, tax, administrative, dispute, and other legal matters to support sound and compliant decision-making.
  3. Lead regional compliance support, including investigations, case management, reporting, and training, to strengthen adherence to internal policies and external legal requirements.
  4. Support regional departments and country operations with day-to-day legal guidance to enable compliant, risk-aware, and efficient implementation of institutional activities.
  5. Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, including data privacy, research ethics, health and safety, environmental, and other emerging compliance requirements, to protect CIMMYT’s interests.
  6. Coordinate with Headquarters and regional stakeholders on governance, policy interpretation, and institutional legal matters to ensure consistency and alignment across the region.
  7. Conduct legal research, prepare legal opinions and related documents, and improve legal tools and workflows to strengthen service delivery across the region.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in Law (LL.M.) or related advanced legal qualification.
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience as in-house legal counsel or in a comparable legal role, preferably supporting regional or multi-jurisdictional operations.
  • Strong experience in contracts, legal advisory, regulatory compliance, and risk management; experience in international non-profit, development, research, or agricultural research organizations is an advantage.


Education, Experience and Technical skills

•Master’s degree in Law (LL.M.) or related advanced legal qualification. •At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience as in-house legal counsel or in a comparable legal role, preferably supporting regional or multi-jurisdictional operations. •Strong experience in contracts, legal advisory, regulatory compliance, and risk management; experience in international non-profit, development, research, or agricultural research organizations is an advantage.

Personal Attributes and Competencies

•Sound knowledge of regional legal frameworks and demonstrated ability to operate effectively in multi-jurisdictional legal environments. •Demonstrated ability to provide timely, practical, and business-oriented legal advice, balancing legal risk with operational needs across different levels of the organization. •Proven ability to manage a high volume of legal matters, prioritize competing demands, and deliver high-quality work under pressure and within tight deadlines. •Excellent drafting, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders. •Proficiency in standard legal and office software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, and willingness to learn additional systems as needed. •High ethical standards, sound judgment, and proven ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and discretion. •Strong attention to detail, urgency, proactivity, follow-through, and commitment to delivering accurate results. •Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; proficiency in Spanish is an added advantage. •Demonstrated competencies in time management, adaptability, customer orientation, teamwork, problem solving, achievement orientation, and multicultural awareness.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies. •The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources. •The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya. •We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.

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