Legal Counsel

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Legal Counsel
Location: Texcoco de Mora
Country: Mexico
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. Established to foster improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops, CIMMYT operates primarily in the Global South. The organization builds strong partnerships to enhance the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. As a core CGIAR Research Center, CIMMYT is part of a global research partnership aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and improving natural resources. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

Job Overview:
CIMMYT is seeking an organized, detail-oriented, service-oriented professional for the position of Legal Counsel within the Legal department. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the contract life cycle, which includes the development, drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, and release of various agreements such as grants, subgrants, research collaborations, consultancy, vendor contracts, leases, host country agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and other ad hoc agreements. The Legal Counsel will also support the implementation and adoption of CIMMYT’s intellectual property policies and CGIAR Intellectual Asset Principles, ensuring compliance with these principles, policies, and applicable treaties and laws governing CIMMYT operations. This role requires a proactive approach to legal strategy and policy development, particularly in relation to technology transfer and intellectual asset management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Counsel will be responsible for the following duties:

• Manage the contract life cycle for various agreements, ensuring quality control and proper archiving.
• Support the implementation of CIMMYT’s intellectual property policies and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
• Propose legal strategies and policies for the dissemination of CIMMYT technologies.
• Review and negotiate technology license agreements and material transfer agreements.
• Prepare and manage registrations for intellectual property protection, including trademarks, copyrights, PBR, and patents.
• Provide legal guidance on intellectual property matters to scientific team members.
• Conduct analyses of legislation and regulations related to intellectual property and other relevant regulatory issues.
• Optimize legal services processes and ensure that critical documents have updated templates.
• Oversee staff, interns, and consultants, providing mentorship and preparing educational materials. 1
• Represent the Legal Department before various authorities and forums. 1
• Track and follow up on entrusted matters using dashboards and KPI monitoring tools. 1
• Coordinate the timely completion of requests for the review and drafting of intellectual asset content in agreements.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Law.
• A Master’s degree or specialization in Intellectual Property or Technology Transfer is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Intellectual Property law, preferably in technology transfer, licensing, or patent law.
• Advanced English proficiency (C2 level).
• Experience or knowledge in agricultural R&D, biotechnology, genetic resources, or big data is a plus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Experience in managing and tracking Intellectual Asset contractual commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate legal concepts in plain language to non-legal stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Law, with a preference for those who also hold a Master’s degree or specialization in Intellectual Property or Technology Transfer. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of intellectual property law and its application in agricultural research and development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Intellectual Property law, ideally within a company, research organization, or law firm. Experience in technology transfer, licensing, and patent law is particularly valuable. Familiarity with agricultural R&D and related sectors will be considered an advantage.

Languages:
The position requires advanced proficiency in English (C2 level). Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package that includes benefits beyond the provisions of Mexican Labor Law. This includes a year-end bonus equivalent to 40 days of salary, a vacation premium of 56%, life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, a savings fund, and social benefits as per Mexican regulations (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit). The position is based at CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, State of Mexico, near Mexico City.