LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES

BACKGROUND

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an international, independent, humanitarian non-governmental organisation providing assistance, protection and durable solutions to refugees and displaced people around the world.

NRC has been working in Panama since 2008 on guidance, information and legal assistance.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

For the operation of NRC in Panama, hire the services of a natural person or legal entity specialized in legal advice on matters of commercial law, civil law, labor law, commercial law, criminal law, tax law and litigation, knowledge of data protection in Panama, in order to guarantee compliance with regulations, identify risks for the organization, perform legal analysis and provide relevant legal advice for decision-making, in addition, represent us and manage legally before the competent authorities.

SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY

The consultancy must include adequate planning, relevant regulatory evaluation and obtaining sufficient and competent evidence to reach conclusions about the logistical, administrative and institutional contracting processes, seeking to defend the interests of NRC.

SERVICES

The Norwegian Refugee Council requires a one-year contract for comprehensive legal advisory and management services for its operation in Panama, considering the following services:

• Contracting (supply of goods and services) and Civil Works
• Leases of Real Estate
• Review of inter-institutional agreements prepared by NRC or by third parties and their corresponding annexes.
• Review and advice on issues related to data protection.
• Legal advice related to NRC’s legal entity in Panama.
• Settlement of contracts for goods and real estate, services, civil works and institutional contracts/agreements.

This service includes advice and preparation and/or review of documents on labor matters (regulations associated with occupational health and safety, as well as social security), contractual, commercial, tax and other legal aspects that may arise.

• Submit in writing the concepts, reports or legal opinions of the consultations carried out by NRC on labor, contractual, commercial, tax and other matters.
• Preparation, review and/or update of the contractual formats used by NRC and their respective annexes.
• Training and updating of NRC leadership staff on key legal issues related to labor, contractual, commercial and tax matters in the country.
• Carry out legal procedures/management required by the organization in labor, contractual, commercial, tax and other matters.
• Have a mailbox for judicial notifications for NRC.
• Represent NRC in any process, whether arbitration or judicial.

PRODUCTS

• Monthly management report that includes details of the queries made during the month, legal opinions issued that allow for evidence of improvement actions for the organization.
• Bulletins updating the legal regulations applicable to the subject matter of the contract.
• Infographics or reference material that compiles the improvement actions issued on a monthly basis and promotes continuous learning in the organization.
• Contractual formats and their annexes reviewed and updated.
• Infographics or reference material generated during training sessions.
• Concepts, reports or legal opinions from the consultations carried out by NRC.

CONTRACTOR/CONSULTING COMPANY PROFILE

• Natural or legal person with a minimum of four (4) years of experience.
• Prove work experience with Foreign Non-Profit Private Law Entities and/or International Cooperation Agencies.
• Knowledge of national legislation that regulates non-profit foreign private law entities or international humanitarian aid organizations.
• Extensive knowledge and proven experience in commercial and contractual legislation.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES

• Sensitivity and respect for vulnerable populations and social problems.
• Mastery of Spanish and English.
• Organization, responsibility, leadership and teamwork.
• Proposition and Creativity.
• Respectful, willing to reach agreement and dialogue.
• Ease of oral and written communication.
• Good command of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel).
• Positive attitude and ability to resolve conflict situations

ELIGIBILITY

Interested parties must submit the following documents:

Legally constituted companies and natural persons legally authorized to provide legal services may submit their proposal/quote for services in accordance with the conditions and requirements described:

• Natural Person: RUC and identity card.
• Legal Entity: RUC, appointment and ID of the legal representative.

Present two (2) commercial references and/or relevant experience in corporate law, preferably with foreign non-profit private law entities or international cooperation agencies.

Technical proposal that includes suggested methodology for the presentation of products, taking into consideration that a sample of the report format and infographics must be presented.

Detailed budget.

Number of people to be assigned to handle the consulting team contract and resume.

Response times to queries determined during business hours.

The technological tools (information management platforms) available for the contract will be positively valued.

Submit an independent proposal for legal representation expenses in arbitration or legal disputes. These services would only be contracted if necessary.

The service offer must be valid to start activities on January 17, 2024.

Interested suppliers must respond to this call for proposals by emailing pa.logistics@nrc.no expressing their interest and sending all the requested documents for eligibility. Only proposals that meet all requirements will be evaluated. Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 10, 2024 at 12:00 noon Panama time.