Org. Setting and Reporting

The work of the International Trade Centre (ITC) is focused on "Transforming trade. Changing lives." ITC assists developing and transition countries to take advantage of expanding trade and investment Opportunities The Office of the Executive Director provides strategic leadership for the development and management of the organization. The Legal Office, situated in OED, protects the legal interests of the International Trade Centre and assists the Organization in achieving its goals by ensuring that all its activities and programmes are in accordance with the external and internal aspects of the Organization's legal framework. The office's core function consists in the provision of sound and impartial legal advice and expert legal assistance in order to promote and develop the rule of law in all aspects of the Organization's activities, as well as to defend ITC's rights, positions and interests in contractual or litigation matters.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, Office of the Executive Director, the incumbent will:

Serve as a lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handle a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in that area of concentration.
Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, and other operational matters.
Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence; provide legal advice to ITC.
Prepare legal submissions as necessary in the course of investigations and appeal cases.
Service conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc. related to legal areas.
Review, advise on and draft complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities, or legal motions/submissions and other legal documents; develop new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
Advise on and participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, to include establishing strategy and approach, deciding on the legal text for terms and conditions of contracts, on the recommendations on the merit of claims, etc.
Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules, including the review of administrative decisions; provide advice to draft amendments to policies; review draft administrative issuances or amendments thereto and verify their consistency with the existing staff regulation and rules; prepare analyses and evaluations of human resources policies and practices.
Represent the organization on more complex cases before arbitral and other tribunal or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases and staff appeals.
Serve on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promote the work of ITC and represent the organization at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
Coordinate and direct teams of other legal officers, and/or mentor and supervise the work of the team.
Contribute to review and design of new, or new applications of, legal instruments, policy, guidelines, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments, including criminal law, both substantive and procedural. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in prosecuting complex criminal cases. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, indictments or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Ability to lead and cross-examine witnesses and make substantial legal arguments before Chambers of judges, or if required to take responsibility for the prosecution of criminal trials. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise; Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; Involves others when making decisions that affect them.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law or in a closely related area. A first-level university degree in the above subjects in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years (nine with a first level degree) of relevant professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Experience in working with United Nations/Member State/ EU funding agreements and Memoranda of Understanding is desirable. Experience in managing a multi-national team in an international organization environment is desirable. Experience in analyzing (legal) business processes and making recommendations for streamlining and change is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

English — Reading: UN Level III; Speaking: UN Level III; Writing: UN Level III; Listening: UN Level III
French — Reading: UN Level II; Speaking: UN Level II; Writing: UN Level II; Listening: UN Level II

Desirable Languages

Spanish — Reading: UN Level II; Speaking: UN Level II; Writing: UN Level II; Listening: UN Level II

Assessment

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

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International Trade Centre is looking for a Legal Officer