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. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources. For more information, visit cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is seeking a proactive, detail-oriented, energetic, and customer-focused professional to join its Legal Department as a Senior Legal Counsel. In this role, the successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic team, ensuring that CIMMYT meets its regulatory obligations while providing exceptional legal support to the organization. Candidates with a strong commitment to compliance and excellence in service are encouraged to apply.

The position will be based at CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, State of Mexico, near Mexico City.

Specific duties:

• Execute and implement the Contract Life Cycle Management (development, drafting, review, negotiation, amendment and release, quality control, and archiving) of a wide array of agreements entered by CIMMYT with its national and international (private and public) partners and service providers, globally.
• Support Compliance Officer by managing and executing all aspects of case management, including the entry, tracking, closure, and follow-up of cases. Ensure that all necessary information is accurately obtained and thoroughly documented. Supervise the entire case management process, including the development and maintenance of dashboards and reports, to guarantee that complaints are processed efficiently and accurately, adhering to the highest standards of efficiency, accurateness, quality and timeliness.
• Support Compliance Officer in the implementation and monitoring of CIMMYT’s global compliance program, ensuring alignment with relevant policies, codes of conduct, and internal communications. Contribute to the development and delivery of training programs to enhance understanding and adherence to compliance requirements across the organization.
• Conduct thorough research and analysis of treaties, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures across various legal areas and jurisdictions where CIMMYT operates.
• Manage compliance and due diligence software tools, ensuring they are effectively utilized to streamline processes and maintain high standards of regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Ensure CIMMYT remains compliant with legal and regulatory requirements in Mexico and other jurisdictions. This includes offering legal support and expert advice on matters related to privacy and data protection, research ethics, occupational health and safety, phytosanitary standards, and environmental regulations.
• Provide guidance and legal counsel and advice in diverse areas, including due diligence, labor, and regulatory requirements and policies, as well as drafting legal opinions, notes, letters, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and chapters to develop and implement policies and procedures aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical practices in CIMMYT’s research and operational activities, advising CIMMYT on potential impact and compliance strategies.
• Identify and assess legal risks associated with CIMMYT activities and operations and develop risk management strategies to mitigate legal liabilities and safeguard the CIMMYT interest.
• Ensure diligent follow-up on entrusted matters by tracking them daily using provided dashboards and KPI monitoring tools. These tools will be utilized to prepare progress updates for relevant areas, ensuring the timely completion of ticketing system requests.
• Development of compliance reports to ensure accurate and timely reporting, of key compliance metrics, including the status of case management, adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, and the effectiveness of training programs
• Ensure appropriate organization of compliance meetings, preparing agendas, and managing logistics, including minutes, for compliance tracking.
• Oversight of staff, interns, and consultants engaged in the ethics and business culture, compliance and regulatory functions, as well as coordination and supervision of outside counsel.
• Identify and assess legal risks associated with CIMMYT activities and operations and develop risk management strategies to mitigate legal liabilities and safeguard the CIMMYT interest.
• Prepare educational materials for Staff and stakeholders to support institutional research policies and procedures. Support the drafting, review, implementation, communication, and update of CIMMYT’s legal policies and procedures. Prepare guides, training materials, and training on the Contract Life Cycle and tools offered by the Legal Department.
• Represent the Legal Department and CIMMYT before different forums.
• Oversight of Staff, interns, and consultants and coordination and supervision of Outside Counsel.
• Perform other related tasks within the job level as may be requested by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

• The selected candidate must have a Degree in Law and a master’s degree/LL.M.
• At least 8 years of proven experience in in-house regulatory and compliance functions.
• Additional experience or knowledge in areas related to agriculture research and development in the private and/or public sectors are an advantage.
• Ability to provide timely and efficient legal and business advice at all organizational levels.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts clearly to lay (non-legal) stakeholders.
• Enough computer skills (at a minimum: Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat) and willingness to learn/master other programs and software as necessary.
• The candidate must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to her/his responsibilities and deadlines.
• Detailed accuracy, acute sensitivity to the importance of time urgency, exceptional anticipation skills, and an enviable personal touch. Demonstrate consistent follow-up to ensure task completion. Consistently operate with urgency while not losing sight of the detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate precisely and professionally with internal and external sources.
• High ethical standards with a strong commitment to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish. English will be tested, and candidates should score a minimum of C2 on CEFR.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Time Management, Flexibility/Adaptability, Customer Orientation, Proactivity, Teamwork, Achievement Orientation and Problem-Solving.

Benefits

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).