Legal Counsel

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) is a development finance institution governed by the Belgian state with a goal to foster sustainable development through private sector investment in partner countries.

BIO is a value driven organization that embodies open-mindedness, responsibility, determination and sustainability in every aspect of its work.

You will be the business partner of our internal clients by coordinating legal aspects of investment projects and taking on other responsibilities in the Legal department. You will play a key role in enabling transactions while safeguarding BIO's legal and risk framework.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Coordinate legal aspects of investment projects in debt and equity with a growing degree of complexity and autonomy from inception until exit, as full member of the deal team.

You will:

• provide legal advice in (re)structuring transactions and any waiver, amendment in relation thereto;
• supervise the legal due diligence;
• structure, draft or review the legal documentation (term sheets, LOI, loan agreements, securities, side letters, waivers and amendments, restructuring agreements, etc.);
• actively negotiate legal documentation on behalf of BIO;
• follow up legal aspects of 'at risk' projects (deal restructurings, legal procedures, etc.); and
• coordinate with external legal counsel.

Exposure to both debt and equity transactions will evolve depending on deal flow and organisational priorities.

• Contribute proactively to the legal department's knowledge management and capacity building.

Without limitation, and on a continuous basis, you will:

• support the development of the legal department's information database, investment related tools and templates;
• interact with team members in the spirit of good cooperation and knowledge sharing;
• cooperate and organise internal trainings to improve your colleagues' legal competencies.

• Assist in corporate/ institutional matters on an occasional basis and according to your interest.

You will perform these tasks under the supervision of a senior legal counsel until you have developed sufficient expertise to manage them autonomously.

Within the different areas of common interest to the department, you will have the opportunity to develop any specific expertise in relation to one or more subjects or types of investment projects. This will help you to become the organisation's main point of reference for these topics or projects.

• You have a European Master's in Law or equivalent;
• You have at least 3 years' relevant professional experience in a financial institution or law firm, with a focus on corporate, banking and finance;
• You have knowledge of or a clear interest in international finance instruments (debt or equity). Experience in equity is a plus;
• You share enthusiasm for BIO's mission and values;
• You are organised, manage multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining structure and attention to detail;
• You actively contribute to a collaborative and respectful working environment, share knowledge transparently, and support colleagues in achieving common objectives. You value collective success over individual visibility;
• You communicate clearly and transparently. You are trusted by colleagues and internal clients;
• You take responsibility for your files and decisions, work autonomously within your scope, and proactively escalate when needed;
• You combine legal rigor with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach, balancing risk management with commercial objective;
• You have a good knowledge of Dutch or French, and English. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

Come and join BIO for an enriching professional experience where you'll be surrounded by motivated colleagues.

We offer an attractive package and you'll enjoy a good balance between your work and your private life (homeworking, regular trainings…).

We're ideally situated in Brussels – only a brisk 10-minute walk from Brussels Central Station and therefore easily accessible by public transport from several big cities.