Position Summary

MCA-Zambia II seeks to appoint an exceptional and accomplished legal executive as General Counsel.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of governance, strategy, and programme delivery. The General Counsel will serve as the principal legal adviser to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors (Board), shaping legal strategy, safeguarding institutional integrity, and enabling the successful execution of a high-value, multi-sector Compact. The role demands a trusted advisor with the judgement, credibility, and commercial acumen to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and stakeholder environments, while ensuring full compliance with Zambian law, governance frameworks, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Analyze the legal frameworks and requirements applicable to MCA-Zambia II to determine and create strategies, policies, and recommendations for avoiding or mitigating legal and regulatory risks or to ensure compliance with relevant laws throughout MCA-Zambia II's programmatic and operational activities.
2. Oversee the provision of legal services by internal and external legal counsel.
3. Act as Company Secretary including advising the Board and management on corporate governance matters, establishing and implementing procedures for Board and management meetings and ensuring that Board meetings and actions comply with the requirements of the Compact, all related agreements, Zambian law, and the relevant governing documents of MCA-Zambia II.
4. Advise the Board and management on the Compact's compliance with applicable regulatory and legal requirements, as well as on emerging opportunities or challenges affecting the Compact's program as a result of the legal or regulatory environment.
5. Advise MCA-Zambia II's management (the CEO, directors, and managers) and other staff on the legal implications of employment, procurement, and financial activities on the implementation of the Compact's projects.
6. Represent, or manage the representation, of MCA-Zambia II before courts, regulatory and administrative bodies, as well as in arbitration and other proceedings and defend/protect its interests.
7. Monitor the implementation of MCA-Zambia II's activities to ensure that legal and regulatory requirements are complied with and emerging legal risks are anticipated and addressed throughout the Compact's term.
8. Support the development of policies and practices that build an ethical and legally well-informed culture within MCA-Zambia II consistent with Zambian law and MCC's standards on anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability.
9. Identify and advise on incidents of fraud and corruption, conflicts of interest, and other corporate governance matters arising during the implementation of the Compact. Draft, advise on, and negotiate all types of contracts and legal agreements to be executed by MCA-Zambia II to implement the Compact. Develop legal agreement templates for MCA-Zambia II.
10. Determine the need for additional legal experts (including outside counsel), identify possible sources, assist the Procurement Director in procuring such experts, provide recommendations on legal tasks that should be outsourced to an outside counsel, and manage such outside counsel.
11. Review legal aspects of programmatic deliverables required by the terms of the Compact and related agreements to ensure legal sufficiency and the proper and timely delivery of such deliverables.
12. Oversee the recruitment of the Legal Manager and Legal Officer or Paralegal and provide supervisory oversight of the legal team to ensure effective and timely delivery of departmental key performance indicators and responsiveness to emerging legal issues.

Required Qualifications

Education and Professional Standing

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent
• Admission to the Zambian Bar with a valid practising certificate

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of Zambian law across corporate, commercial, construction, procurement, employment, and regulatory frameworks
• Strong experience in infrastructure and donor-funded programme environments
• Proven track record in corporate governance and company secretarial practice
• Experience engaging with government entities and navigating public sector legal frameworks

Leadership and Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial and institutional judgement
• High integrity, professionalism, and independence of mind
• Ability to influence at Board and executive level
• Strong leadership and team development capability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of post-qualifying legal experience
• At least five (5) of those years at executive management level
• Proven experience working as or with a company secretary on a governing board, and experience with corporate governance, compliance, and record-keeping matters is required.
• Knowledge of and experience in international law and Zambian law across a broad range of legal areas, including contract, corporate, construction, employment, tax, and procurement laws and regulations
• Knowledge of and experience with infrastructure contracts
• Proven ability to liaise and collaborate with Zambian government entities
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and institutions, and to facilitate cross-functional collaboration
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with peers as well as to collaborate effectively across departments or divisions
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Law or a related field
• Experience with Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC) contracts and infrastructure delivery frameworks
• Experience advising on international agreements or cross-border transactions
• Experience representing the Government of Zambia, foreign investors or governments in transactions.
• Experience working with development finance institutions, donors, or United States Government-funded programmes
• Proficiency in local language(s)

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications, including a detailed Curriculum Vitae and cover letter

Closing Date: 26th June 2026

Additional information

MCA-Zambia II is an equal opportunity employer. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.