The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an international financial institution, established within the UN ecosystem, currently with 101 member states. With poverty alleviation as its core mission, the CFC operates as an impact investment fund by easing commodity dependence in the developing world.

Based in Amsterdam, since 1989, the CFC has been instrumental in bringing over USD 1 billion in investments for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers, while also acting as a bridge between developed and the developing world. Building on this, the organisation is expanding its activities by developing additional funds with support from public, multilateral, and private-sector partners, thereby expanding its reach while continuing to pursue its core mission.

The CFC is seeking a Legal Adviser who will perform a dual role: (i) providing legal advice and support to the investment and operations team on matters related to investments, fund mandates and contractual arrangements; and (ii) advising the Managing Director on governance, compliance, and the legal implementation of decisions of the CFC Governing Bodies. The role plays a key part in safeguarding the CFC’s legal integrity and supporting the institution’s continued development in line with its mandate. The Legal Adviser shall report to the Managing Director.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of experience as an in-house legal counsel or adviser, preferably within an international organization such as a financial institution, development finance institution, or intergovernmental body. We are looking for a legal professional who is not only technically strong but also motivated to contribute to sustainable economic development in emerging markets. The candidate should have a genuine interest in impact-driven finance and understand the importance of sound legal structures in enabling responsible capital deployment to SMEs operating in complex environments.

This is a full-time position based in Amsterdam, remuneration is being offered at the ICSC P-2 level and the initial appointment is a fixed term post of 2 years with provision for further extensions.

Why Join CFC?

·         Contribute to a global mission of poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

·         Play a key role in shaping the financial and administrative strategies of an international financial organization.

·         Work in a dynamic and multicultural environment with a team of dedicated professionals.

·         The CFC pays an attractive compensation based on United Nations grade levels, including a tax-exempt salary and additional benefits.

·         Opportunities for professional growth and development.

The role is split between legal support to the CFC’s operations (approximately 70%) and advising the Managing Director on strategic and institutional matters (approximately 30%). The role includes supporting financing transactions, ensuring the consistent and enforceable application of standardized loan documentation across jurisdictions, strengthening internal legal processes, and contributing to the legal matters concerning new and existing fund mandates, financing vehicles, and other investment structures. Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Operational Support

Transaction Legal Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate standardized loan agreements, term sheets, and related financing documentation.
• Provide legal input on financing structures, including cross-border enforceability, risk allocation, and alignment with transaction terms.
• Review commercial agreements linked to financing transactions (e.g. offtake, supply, and warehouse agreements).

Cross-Border Legal Coordination

• Coordinate and review legal opinions from external counsel in emerging market jurisdictions.
• Translate local legal advice into clear internal recommendations.
• Liaise with external counsel on jurisdiction-specific matters and restructuring cases.

Risk Management & Internal Processes

• Identify legal and structural risks related to transactions and propose appropriate contractual mitigants.
• Contribute to the development of internal legal templates, clause libraries, and transaction tools.
• Support internal governance and compliance processes related to transactions.

Restructurings and Recoveries

• Support restructuring, workout, and recovery processes for distressed transactions.
• Contribute to legal strategy and negotiations to protect the organization’s legal and financial interests.

Fund and mandate legal support

• Support the management of and legal structuring of funds, financing vehicles, and blended finance instruments.
• Review fund documentation and ensure alignment between fund frameworks, investment strategies, and underlying transactions.

2. Governance and Institutional Affairs

• Assist the Managing Director with the legal aspects of the implementation of the decisions of the Governing Bodies.
• Provide legal advice on a broad range of institutional and corporate/administrative issues, including the interpretation, implementation, and periodic revision of CFC’s governance documents.
• Present legal advice on interpretation of the CFC’s Headquarters Agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the CFC Staff Rules and Regulations as well as other internal policies and regulations and staff benefit arrangements.
• Prepare Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with other organizations and ensure CFC’s compliance with such MOUs.
• Inform the Managing Director about major legal developments in the United Nations, European Union, and international legal systems.
• Represent the CFC at any national or international fora where legal expertise is required or considered necessary by the Managing Director.

• Advanced University Law Degree (Masters level or higher).
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in contractual law, preferable with a financial institution along with a sound familiarity with international law.
• Demonstrated experience in drawing up financing agreements and relevant documentation with public and private sector entities.
• Excellent skills and experience in legal drafting, with ability to prepare and finalize various types of documentation as required.
• Demonstrated ability or capacity to work with legal frameworks from different jurisdictions.
• Understanding of the Dutch legal context is considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practises in due diligence, compliance and governance.
• Strong ethical standards with a record of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to mediate, facilitate discussions, and build effective partnerships across diverse teams and cultures.
• Ability to operate successfully in a multicultural environment, and to develop and maintain effective relations with a diversified group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Being comfortable dealing with high level representatives of governments, donors and international investors, solid negotiation skills.
• High level of attention to detail, accuracy and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in a deadline-driven and high- achieving environment.
• Excellent written and spoken communications in English. Fluency in other UN languages, particularly Spanish or French, is an advantage.
• It is important to note that the CFC can only employ Nationals of its Member States, for a full list of Member States please refer to the “About us” section of the CFC website.

Applicants should complete this short form and send a brief cover letter (max 500 words) and concise curriculum vitae not exceeding 3 pages, in English, to recruitment@common-fund.org including their FULL name and Vacancy Ref (2026 – 04) in the email subject heading.

The closing date for applications is 18.00hrs (CEST) on Friday 01 May 2026.

Due to the anticipated number of applicants for this opportunity the CFC reserves the right to close this opportunity once sufficient applications are received, contact will be made with shortlisted candidates only.