Senior Legal Officer

About Us

The 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.

The primary responsibility of the Office is to assist in the interpretation and implementation of the CWC, the decisions and rules of procedure of the policy-making organs, the internal legislation of the Organisation, and various sources of public international law.

The Office advises on commercial matters, the development of new internal administrative policies and procedures, and personnel-related administrative issues. Its legal services include assistance in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating international agreements and interpretation of the Headquarters Agreement between the OPCW and the Host Country.

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 a Senior Legal Officer (P-4) your responsibilities will include the provision of legal advice and assistance on administrative law issues and operational activities of the technical secretariat and on the implementation on the CWC.

Are you equipped with experience directly relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention?

Are you knowledgeable of international law, disarmament law, international administrative law and/or the legal aspects of the United Nations common system or the OPCW?

Do you have excellent communication and negotiation skills and have demonstrated ability in legal drafting skills within an international or governmental organisation and/or private legal practice?

Then apply now!

To view the complete job outline, please click here.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree in law. A first level university degree in law with at least nine years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in international organisations, government service, and/or private legal practice (or nine years with a first level university degree in law). 

Desirable:

• Knowledge and/or experience in the following would be an asset: international law, disarmament law, international administrative law, and/or the legal aspects of the United Nations common system or the OPCW.

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;
• Leadership skills, maturity, and good judgement;
• Strong planning and organisational skills, and ability to work under pressure of time and urgent deadlines;
• Flexibility and problem solving skills;
• Tact, discretion, and the ability to work harmoniously 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

This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.

The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.

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.