M24229 Legal Assistant - Visas Services & Foreign Affairs
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
For more information, visit cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional to join our Legal Department as a Legal Assistant specializing in Visas Services & Foreign Affairs.
The position will be based at CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, State of Mexico, near Mexico City.
Specific duties:
- Provide support to the Contract Life Cycle Management drafting, review, negotiation, amendment, release, quality control, management, contracts, and agreements entered by CIMMYT with national and international (private and public) entities
- Provide comprehensive support in the management of visa applications, renewals, and related protocols for CIMMYT staff, visitors, and partners, to ensures that all visa and protocol processes are handled efficiently, in compliance with relevant regulations, and in a manner that fosters positive relations with governmental and diplomatic entities.
- Assisting with preparing and filing various types of visa applications, and drafting legal documents, correspondence, and forms related to visa applications.
- Keep accurate records of the passports, official cards, birth certificates, and other privacy-protected information and documentation, as well as other relevant documentation as required.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files and detailed visa application notes, enter required data in a timely manner, meet all visa application reporting requirements within established timelines and standards, and assist in the completion of statistical, narrative, and other reports.
- Provide assistance in the tax exemption/franchise approvals for inbound and outbound shipment for the contractual ship M24229 Legal Assistant - Visas Services & Foreign Affairsment of IRS household goods to Mexico and other regional offices.
- Provide documentation to support fleet management requests for diplomatic plates for official vehicles.
- Provide support in drafting and submitting diplomatic communications between the organization and foreign governments, embassies, and institutions.
- Perform protocol event management functions.
- Serve as a supporting point of contact with embassies, consulates, and government agencies regarding visa and protocol matters, and establish and maintain strong working relationships with officials in relevant governmental and diplomatic offices.
- Perform preparatory work for meetings between senior personnel of the Center and representatives of foreign governments, embassies, external agencies, and other ministries/departments and write follow-up reports as required.
- Prep information for participants; ensure Department tasks are met, among other administrative tasks, such as making expense reports, processing payments, travel arrangements, advances, accommodation, and documentation, reporting of activities, etc.
- Keep track of the vehicles assigned to the Department to monitor maintenance needs, checks, and other required processes
- Assisting with the preparation of lists, status charts, and data management integral to the Department
- Support the curation of agreements and other document databases.
- Maintain high support for stakeholders requiring input, search, and update data and information.
- Manage and track a high volume of tasks and projects ensuring deadlines are met and priorities are maintained.
- Participate in the optimization of processes for legal services processes and guidelines contributing to improved efficiency and effectiveness
- Ensure proper follow-up of entrusted matters, tracking these matters daily in the provided dashboards and KPI monitoring tools that will be used to prepare the progress update to the relevant areas.
- Any other tasks requested by the supervisor.
Requirements
Required qualifications, skills, and attitudes:
- The selected candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Law, Political Science, International Relations).
- The selected candidate must have at least 3 years of experience working in similar roles.
- The candidate must exhibit a clear understanding of Mexican immigration regulations, consular processing procedures, and post workflow.
- The selected candidate must have strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to organize and prioritize work in a setting with frequent and rapid priority and assignment changes and additions coming from multiple sources in a fast-paced environment.
- The selected candidate must have the ability to maintain high integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
- The selected candidate must understand instruments of international relations.
- The candidate must exhibit a proficiency in English and Spanish. English test will be administered; the candidate must score a minimum of C2 as per CEFR.
- The candidate must exhibit proficient computer skills (at a minimum: Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat) and willingness to learn/master other programs and software as necessary.
- The selected candidate must have excellent organizational, writing, research, and communication skills, including the writing and communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts to lay (non-legal) stakeholders
- The candidate must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to his responsibilities and deadlines. The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Proactive, Communication, Problem-solving, Achievement Orientation, Flexibility/Adaptability, Multi-Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity, Teamwork, Time Management, and Collaboration.
Benefits
CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).