PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
Based within the Office of the Legal Advisor working with an effective team, providing a full range of legal services, this position will work across the Technical Secretariat, with external partners and Member States and will be expected to deliver results to the highest levels within the Organisation including the Office of the Director-General.
Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser, Principal Legal Officer, Senior Legal Officer and/or Legal Officer and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Legal Officer is responsible for the following;
1. Legal aspects of the CWC:
- Assists in the drafting of legal opinions on the interpretation and implementation of the Convention provisions and related decisions adopted by the policy-making organs;
- Represents LAO in OPCW training courses or lectures to the public, delivering presentations on legal aspects of the CWC.
2. International agreements concluded by the Organisation:
- Assists in the drafting, review, interpretation, and negotiation of international agreements, in particular bilateral agreements with States Parties such as voluntary contribution agreements and agreements concerning the Privileges and Immunities of the Organisation entered into pursuant to Article VIII of the CWC, including the Organisation’s Headquarters Agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
- As Registrar of International Agreements, maintains and updates the International Agreements Registry in accordance with the Organisation’s procedures, including the relevant provisions of AD/ADM/08/Rev.1.
3. Contracts: Commercial and service matters:
- Reviews contracts for the purchase of goods and/or services to be concluded between OPCW and its vendors (for example, insurance policies, license agreements, maintenance contracts, lease agreements).
4. Administrative law of the Organisation:
- Drafts legal memoranda and legal opinions on personnel issues, including interpretation of the Staff Rules and Regulations and other internal legislation of the OPCW; and assists in preparing legal advice on cases in the internal justice system and before the ILOAT;
- Provides legal advice in relation to the confidentiality regime of the OPCW;
- Reviews draft administrative directives (ADM, FIN, or PER), information circulars, and other internal legislative instruments.
5. General:
- Conducts research and provides general legal advice as necessary on diverse legal issues;
- Assists in updating the Organisation’s country profiles (i.e., backgrounders) with the relevant legal input;
- Represents the Legal Adviser, and/or serves as a member upon appointment by the Director-General, on various internal advisory bodies, such as the Joint Disciplinary Committee, the Committee on Contracts, and the Advisory Board on Compensation Claims; and provides, as requested, legal advice to such bodies;
6. PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS REQUIRED.
RECRUITING PROFILE
Education (Qualifications):
Essential:
- Advanced University degree in Law. A first level university degree in law in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Essential:
- At least two years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in an international organisation, government department, law firm, or similar environment – with a focus on international, disarmament, administrative, and/or commercial legal matters. A first university degree in Law with four years of progressively responsible experience focusing on the above mentioned areas may be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Desirable:
- Experience in the UN Common System or in the OPCW providing in-house counsel services
Skills and Abilities (key competencies):
- Excellent communication skills – both written and oral; and good negotiation skills;
- Excellent legal drafting skills;
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in legal research;
- Strong planning and organisational skills and ability to work under pressure of time and urgent deadlines;
- Flexibility and problem solving skills;
- Discretion, tact, accuracy, and ability to work as a team with other colleagues;
- Good computer skills;
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is essential, and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
