: Litigation Consultant to the Sanctions Appeals Board Secretariat - BSAB
AFDB1JP00000069
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Not Applied
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Posted On
2025-09-17
Period
2025-11-01 to 2026-04-30
Job Type
Temporary Full Time
Location
Abidjan 01CIV
Category
Business Professional
Description
The African Development Bank Group is a regional multilateral development finance institution established in 1964 with a mandate to further economic development and social progress of its Regional Member Countries (RMCs)
The African Development Bank Group has a fiduciary and legal duty to ensure that funds are used for the purposes for which they were intended. Where firms or individuals divert these funds to other uses through fraud, corruption, coercion, collusion, or obstruction, defined as “Sanctionable Practices”, the Bank Group exercises its fiduciary duty by sanctioning these entities through an administrative process.
Application Close Date
2025-09-23
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
19.Legal
A. Background Objectives
The Sanctions Appeals Board (“SAB”) is the second tier, and appellate body, of the two-tier Sanctions System set up by the African Development Bank pursuant to the terms of the Cross-debarment Agreement signed between the Multilateral development banks (MDBs) on 9 April 2010. Therefore, the SAB receives and determines appeals from the Sanctions Commissioner’s decisions and performs such other functions and responsibilities as set forth in the Sanctions Procedures. It is made up of six members including four external members (two substantive and two alternate members) and two internal members (one substantive and one alternate member). In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the SAB decides cases “de novo” in full or in panels, depending on the complexity of the case.
B. Scope of work
The Executive Secretariat of the Sanctions Appeals Board (SAB) is currently looking for a lawyer with strong experience in litigation, preferably international litigation, to provide legal support to the Executive Secretary of the Sanctions Appeals Board.
The team’s mission:
The Sanctions Appeals Board is part of AfDB anti-corruption framework, which addresses allegations of sanctionable practices in activities financed or executed by the Bank Group. The Sanctions Appeals Board is responsible for the appellate review of sanctionable practices. Its Secretariat supports their decision-making process from a legal and logistical standpoint.
The consultant will assist the Executive Secretary to the Sanctions Appeals Board (SAB) in all the legal work of the unit:
• Conduct document review of case evidence, in English and French.
• Assist the Executive Secretary in defining the need or convenience of requesting clarifications and further evidence from the parties to the proceedings.
• Prepare draft Sanctions Decisions in English and French, following instructions to be provided by SAB members and by the supervisor.
Notify SAB Final Decision to parties & other stakeholders
• Coordinate the management and review of case files, including organizing all case related records in accordance with appropriate protocols.
Prepare all necessary documentations in English and French for the Sanctions Appeals Board session.
Publishes SAB Final Decisions on Bank’s website.
• Under the guidance of the Executive Secretary, provide conceptual input in the development of internal policies and procedures relating to case review, management and processing, as well as protocols for case-related communications, internal and external correspondence and the handling of sensitive information.
• Conduct research on assigned issues, including policy matters related to the anti-corruption framework, analyzing information and summarizing findings.
• Research and analyze case law from various sanctioning bodies.
• Advise the Executive Secretary in discussions with other units regarding the sanctions regime and related policies.
• Draft and proofread reports to Senior Bank Management, the Board of Executive Directors and its Audit & Finance Committee (AUFI), related to the caseload and other matters.
• Draft presentations and other materials for conferences and official meetings.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Executive Secretary, depending on business needs.
C. Deliverables Expected
1. Timely delivery of:
- Prepare documentation & files for the holding of the Sanctions Appeals Board session.
- Draft SAB Final Decisions English or French after SAB determinations.
2. Timely notification of SAB final decisions to stakeholders
- Notification of SAB Final Decisions to, the parties, members of the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board (AUFI), Office of the President.
3. Accomplish any other tasks as requested by the Executive Secretary to the SAB.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
Type of contract and duration:
• Type of contract: Consultant Full-Time
• Length of contract: 6 months.
The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary to the Sanctions Appeals Board for a period of (6) months from 1st November 2025 to 30 April 2026.
The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary to the Sanctions Appeals Board for a period of (6) months from 1st November 2025 to 30 April 2026.The Consultant will receive a monthly lump sum, following satisfactory performance review of the tasks executed. The Bank’s guidelines on remuneration of consultants will apply, based on the candidate’s qualifications and years of experience. The Consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and accommodation costs.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The Sanctions Appeals Board Secretariat (BSAB) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).
F. Duty Station
The position is based at the Bank’s Headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The consultant may be required to travel for missions and work-related engagements as needed. The Bank will cover the full costs of any required trip/missions if needed and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultant mission travel.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
The consultant must have:
- A Bar certification from one of the Bank’s members or participating countries
- At least a or a Juris Doctor (JD) or a master’s degree or an advanced degree in law from a leading university.
- At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in complex civil, administrative or criminal litigation matters. Expert-level knowledge of legal proceedings, preferably in international settings or with an established law firm. Experience in international tribunals is considered an advantage as well as relevant experience with MDB in MDBs Sanctions System. Education: You hold an advanced degree in law from a leading university.
- Very strong legal drafting skills in English and French, at a level required in sophisticated legal proceedings. You can conduct detailed reviews of evidence and draft documents without editorial assistance.
- Full command of English and French. IT Competence in the use of standard software such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Artificial Intelligence.
Key skills:
• Learn continuously
• Collaborate and share knowledge
• Focus on clients
• Communicate and influence
• Innovate and try new things
H. Supervisor
The Sanctions Appeals Board Secretary
Consultancy Input Days
129.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
