M26325- HQ Legal Counsel (Locally Recruited)

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.

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 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.

The role will be based in Texcoco, Edo de Mexico.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute and coordinate end-to-end Contract Life Cycle Management (development, drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, quality control, and archiving) of grants, subgrants, research collaboration agreements, consultancy, procurement contracts, leases, nondisclosure agreements, Host Country Agreements, and other legal instruments entered into by CIMMYT with national and international partners and service providers, supporting Headquarters functions and CIMMYT’s global operations.
• Provide timely, practical, and business-oriented legal advice across multiple jurisdictions where CIMMYT operates, including corporate, regulatory, labor, tax, administrative, criminal, and litigation-related matters, with particular focus on institutional matters and Headquarters-supported operations.
• Provide proactive legal support and day-to-day advisory services to Headquarters departments, institutional functions, and operational units (including Research, Finance, HR, Procurement, and Operations), ensuring that institutional objectives are achieved in a legally compliant, risk-aware, and operationally efficient manner.
• Act as a legal focal point for Headquarters functions, programs, and departments, collaborating with Regional Legal Counsel to promote consistency in interpretation and application of institutional policies, procedures, and legal frameworks across CIMMYT operations.
• Ensure CIMMYT remains compliant with legal and regulatory requirements applicable to Headquarters functions and global operations. This includes providing legal support and expert advice on privacy and data protection, research, occupational health and safety, environmental regulations, and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Research and analyze treaties, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures from a variety of legal areas and jurisdictions applicable to CIMMYT operations, to ensure compliance and provide legal counsel and advice in diverse areas, including corporate, regulatory,labor, tax, administrative, and litigation matters; draft legal opinions, notes, letters, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• Ensure CIMMYT remains compliant with applicable legal and regulatory requirements relevant to Headquarters’ functions and global operations. This includes providing legal support and expert advice on privacy and data protection, research, occupational health and safety, phytosanitary standards, and environmental regulations.
• Ensure effective monitoring and follow-up of entrusted legal requests and department services, tracking progress through provided dashboards and KPI tools, preparing timely updates for relevant stakeholders, and guaranteeing timely completion of legal service requests.
• 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 institutional activities and operations, and develop practical risk management strategies to mitigate legal liabilities and safeguard CIMMYT’s interests.
• Provide strategic, pragmatic, and collaborative legal advice daily to support the business in achieving its goals and objectives in a legally compliant and ethical manner, while also advising and supporting the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on complex, crossfunctional, and high-impact legal matters.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal workflows, guidelines, templates, and tools, while ensuring effective and timely legal service delivery across CIMMYT.
• Support corporate governance functions at Headquarters, including the issuance and management of powers of attorney, drafting and formalization of minutes, and other CIMMYT statutory obligations.
• Represent the Legal Department and CIMMYT before government authorities, external forums, partners, and stakeholders as required.
• 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 templates, policies and procedures. Prepare guides, training materials, and training on the Contract Life Cycle and tools offered by the Legal Department.
• Perform other related tasks within the job level as may be required by the supervisor.

Requirements

• The selected candidate must have a master’s degree/LL.M
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience as in-house legal counsel, working in a similar position, preferably supporting multijurisdictional or regional operations;
• Experience providing legal support to institutional matters, cross-functional initiatives, and strategic organizational priorities, working collaboratively with multiple departments and stakeholders across the organization.
• Experience in international non-profit, development, research, or agricultural research organizations is an advantage.
• Knowledge of international legal frameworks and ability to navigate complex, multijurisdictional legal environments.
• Demonstrated ability to provide timely, practical, and effective legal and business advice across all organizational levels, balancing legal risks with operational needs.
• Proven track record managing complex legal matters and multiple priorities simultaneously, working well under pressure, prioritizing competing demands, and meeting deadlines consistently.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts in a plain manner 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.
• High ethical standards with a strong commitment to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong sense of urgency, proactive follow-up skills, and ability to deliver results without compromising accuracy.
• 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. Operate with urgency without losing sight of detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate precisely and professionally with internal and external sources.
• Provide guidance and support to assigned Legal Department staff, as applicable, ensuring effective coordination of legal activities, knowledge sharing, and timely delivery of assigned tasks.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish. English will be assessed, and candidates should score at least C2 on the CEFR.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated competencies in time management, flexibility/adaptability, customer orientation, proactivity, teamwork, achievement orientation, problemsolving, and multicultural awareness/sensitivity

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).

Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Foreign national candidates must have legal documents to work in Mexico.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.