shehan de sayrah

I organised and lead Panel investigations, both in the field and at Headquarters, related to alleged violations of policies and procedures in Bank-financed projects in Ghana, Albania, Nigeria, Uganda, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I reviewed Requests for Inspection, to determine the validity of the alleged violations of Bank policies and the resulting harm to the requester(s). I drafted panel documents (Investigation Reports, Eligibility Reports and memoranda) and provided critical support and advice to the Panel members. I organised and conducted outreach programmes in order to better inform people about the importance of accountability in international organisations and to foster open, consultative and constructive dialogue with affected parties.

I prepared legal briefs on various issues related to building and construction law, and drafted contractual obligations in English and French.

* I negotiated and drafted legal agreements related to the mission of the Organisation and reviewed purchase orders and contracts submitted by the Procurement department. * I provided legal advice on issues pertaining to International Law, the Headquarters and Facilities Agreements, Privileges and Immunities and Administrative law.

* I negotiated, with over fifty insurance companies, as to the applicability of various terms and conditions, specifically conflict of law issues, in their Insurance Policies. * I interpreted and advised clients, corporate and individual, as to their contractual rights under the Terms and Conditions of the policies, often under extraordinary circumstances.

I provided critical legal advice, to the Director and to officers of the Organisation, on the Constitution of the Organisation, Staff Regulations and Rules, Headquarters Agreement and related Privileges and Immunities. I negotiated and drafted complex, multi-stakeholder contracts and project documents. I also negotiated and secured funding from aid agencies in Europe and North America and philanthropic foundations, as well as other international organisations through technical corporation agreements. I also advised whether to refer staff disputes to arbitration, following mediation and conciliation meetings with the aggrieved parties. Where appropriate, I prepared briefs on behalf of the Organisation to the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organisation.

I edited legal manuscripts from Supreme Court judges, authors and practitioners in the legal trade for dissemination, and prepared monthly bulletins regarding changes to various pieces of legislation.

I oversaw the management of Consul General’s day-to-day activities and served as liaison with corporate and governmental bodies, both in Australia and France.

I provided legal advice to technical officers on the appropriate means of procuring goods and services for projects. I oversaw the entire procurement process from the preparation of solicitation documents to the evaluation and award phases of the commercially and legally acceptable offer. I was responsible for negotiating complex commercial contracts and license agreements and ensuring that they were in line with the Organisation’s Financial Regulations and Rules and Administrative Directives. I managed a revolving budget of over US$3.5 million.