ASSOCIATE LEGAL OFFICER

Overview

Undertake legal research and assist in drafting legal documents for the ISA.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law with emphasis in public international law is required.
• A first-level university degree along with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
• Experience in litigating administrative law matters is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 82,167 USD and 111,603 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the 1994 Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director/Legal Counsel, and within delegated authority, the Associate Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Undertake studies and research in the fields of public and private international law, law of the sea and administrative law; 2. Examine, statutes, rules, agreements or other legal instruments and precedents relating to the activities of ISA. 3. Provide services to the ISA and its governing bodies and prepare background materials, reports and papers. 4. Draft agreements, contracts, internal rules and regulations, opinions, reports and correspondence on issues relating to the activities of the ISA; Provide advice and assistance on judicial and administrative questions relating to the work of ISA, including the internal system of administration of justice for ISA and UN, publications, workshops and training programmes. 5. Participate in international conferences and meetings. 6. Assist in responding to inquiries and correspondence; Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence. 7. Contribute to the identification of issues and drafting of recommendations and legal submissions, ensuring that they are consistent with interpretation and application of administrative law. 8. Conduct legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence. 9. Assist with maintenance of records (electronic and online). 10. Perform other duties as requested by the Legal Counsel or Secretary-General.

Competencies

Competencies: Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law with emphasis in the area of public international law is required. A first-level university degree within combination two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admitted to the bar of a member State of the Authority, or otherwise qualified to practice law is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience is required. Experience in litigating administrative law matters is desirable. Experience in conducting investigations or disciplinary matters in an international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of two (2) years subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance in the role. • At the International Seabed Authority, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. • All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. • The International Seabed Authority is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The International Seabed Authority recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. • The International Seabed Authority Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised. • Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions