Legal Officer P-2
Description:
About us
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997. The OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.
The ultimate aim of the OPCW is to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity, and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development. Under the OPCW's oversight 96% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifiably destroyed.
The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
Our mission for a world free of chemical weapons makes people's lives better. Apply to be a part of our team to make the world a better place for all.
General Information
Responsibilities
Job Summary
The OPCW office of the Legal Adviser provides legal advice and support to the Director-General, the Divisions and Branches of the Secretariat, and States Parties on a wide range of legal issues. In doing so, the Office ensures that the Organisation’s activities are conducted in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and relevant rules, policies, and agreements.
Main Responsibilities
As the Legal Officer (P-2), you will be responsible for the following:
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
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.
Contracts: Commercial and service matters:
- Review 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)
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
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
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Essential: You should have an 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.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential: Make sure you have 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 Competencies
To succeed in this role you will need the following skills and 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
Languages
Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.
Additional Information
Appointment to this category of position at the OPCW will be in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions applicable to the post. This appointment will be for limited time only as stated.
Only applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.
Important notice for applicants who are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.
Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage.
