Legal Officer (P-3)

Principal Functions

 

Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser, the Principal Legal Officer, the Senior Legal Officer and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Legal Officer performs the following duties:

Legal aspects of the CWC and OPCW Policy-making organs:

1. Provides legal advice on the interpretation and implementation of the CWC and relevant decisions adopted by the policy-making organs, in particular in the field of Verification (Articles III, IV, V, VI and the Verification Annex of the CWC);
2. As part of a multidisciplinary team, takes part in the drafting, review, interpretation and negotiation of Facility Agreements concluded with States Parties pursuant to the Verification Annex of the CWC;
3. Provides legal advice on the interpretation and implementation of the Rules of Procedure of the OPCW Policy-making organs (Conference of States Parties and Executive Council);
4. Represents LAO in OPCW training courses or lectures to the public, delivering presentations on legal aspects of the CWC.

Agreements of the OPCW:

1. 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.

Contracts: Commercial and service matters:

1. 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) and drafts the Legal Adviser's comments on them;
2. Follows up legal aspects of implementation of the above contracts, drafting the Legal Adviser's opinion.

Administrative law of the Organisation:

1. Drafts legal memoranda and legal opinions on personnel issues, including on the interpretation of the Organisation’s Staff Rules and Regulations and other internal administrative issuances of the OPCW;
2. Prepares the Organisation’s briefs on cases before the Organisation’s internal administrative and disciplinary bodies as well as before the ILOAT;
3. Reviews draft administrative directives (ADM, FIN or PER), information circulars and other internal administrative issuances.

General:

1. Conducts research and provides general legal advice as necessary on diverse legal issues and performs “other duties” as required;
2. Assists the Legal Adviser in preparing LAO’s input to the Annual Report of the OPCW, the United Nations Juridical Yearbook and the statements to be delivered by the Director-General before the meetings of the policy-making organs of the Organisation;
3. Assists in updating the Organisation’s country profiles (i.e., backgrounders) with the relevant legal input;
4. Assists the Legal Adviser in the data protection function of LAO;
5. Assists the Legal Adviser, the Principal Legal Officer, and the Senior Legal Officer(s) in addressing the administrative aspects of the functioning of the Office;
6. 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.

Knowledge and Experience

Education

Essential

At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law either in an international organisation, government department or law firm, or similar environment, with a focus on international, administrative, and/or commercial legal matters.

Experience

Essential

At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law either in an international organisation, government department or law firm, or similar environment, with a focus on international, administrative, and/or commercial legal matters.

Desirable

The following will be assets: experience in an international organisation; familiarity with public international law and international administrative law, including the legal aspects of the UN common system; and availability to travel for short missions, including to conflict zones.

Skills and Abilities (key competencies)

1. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in legal research with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex legal issues; and a good understanding of the relation between legal issues and policy initiatives.
2. Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively and prioritise activities.
3. Excellent writing skills, a well developed sense of judgement, and ability to work under pressure of time and urgent deadlines;
4. Excellent communication skills, including proven negotiation skills.;
5. Flexibility and problem solving skills.
6. Discretion, tact, accuracy, and ability to work as a team with other colleagues in the Office of the Legal Adviser.
7. Good computer skills.
8. Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Language Requirements

The OPCW has six working languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish). For the advertised post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is essential and the ability to communicate and conduct negotiations in one of the other official languages of the OPCW is an advantage.