Consultant - Provision of legal services

Purpose of consultancy

To provide legal expertise concerning ongoing requests for legal advice that are received by LEG/IAL on a regular basis on a wide variety of international administrative law issues.

To provide legal expertise in the preparation of pleadings for submission to the ILOAT and the related legal research and analysis of jurisprudence and precedents.

Background

The International Administrative Law (IAL) unit within the Office of the Legal Counsel (LEG) requires legal support to handle voluminous in-coming requests. In particular, stringent deadlines have to be observed in the preparation of ILOAT submissions and related correspondence.

Deliverables

• Preparation of ILOAT submissions, which include researching ILOAT jurisprudence, developing legal strategies that best protect WHO's interests and preparing persuasive arguments and comprehensive submissions to the ILOAT in defense of WHO;
• Provision of legal input and research on administrative law topics;
• Reviewing policy papers flagging legal concerns and providing legal opinions and briefs on policy changes, in particular on due process, investigations of misconduct and harassment issues.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced level university degree in Law (International Law).

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience working in the area of international administrative law.

Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of legal principles of international administrative law;
• Familiarity with preparation of legal briefs in general and submissions before the ILOAT in particular. Knowledge of the ILOAT statute, rules of procedure and jurisprudence;
• Ability to conceptualize, analyze and draft legal briefs;
• Analytical ability and ability to present information in a clear and logical manner;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentations skills;
• Tact and high degree of discretion and confidentiality;
• Excellent team player;
• Flexibility and easy adaptation to shifting priorities;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Knowledge of the WHO internal justice system, its regulatory and policy frameworks, and staff related matters.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

Contract duration will be until 31 December 2024. Duration in months will depend on the start date of the contract.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: <https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html>