Legal Officer

VACANCY NOTICE NO. 22TVN-2021/SG-JUR/EXTERNAL/P4

Organ:
The General Secretariat directs all the administrative and financial aspects of the Union’s activities, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication matters for operational and other purposes, the provision of legal advice to the Bureaux of the Union and the departments of the General Secretariat, logistic support to the Union’s activities including conferences, the coordination of the work of the Union with other international organizations, the dissemination of information to the Member States and Sector Members, press, corporate and individual users of telecommunications and the general public. The General Secretariat is also responsible for the organization of world telecommunication exhibitions and forums.

Organization Unit:
Within the General Secretariat and as part of the Office of the Secretary-General, the Legal Affairs Unit (JUR) conducts studies and provides legal advice and opinions on various types of documents, including treaties, agreements, contracts etc., to enable the Secretary-General to act as legal representative of the Union in its relations with the Member States and other international or multinational organisations; carries out the legal functions associated with the Secretary-General’s role as depository of the treaties and other agreements concluded by, or under the auspices of, the Union; studies, and deals with, general legal matters of all kinds and specific questions submitted to it by the Bureaux and Departments of the Union in connection with the Union’s structure, functions and activities; advises on the interpretation of legal instruments (Constitution and Convention and Administrative Regulations of the Union, as well as other treaties and agreements, regulations, resolutions etc.); prepares draft amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the Union, its internal rules and regulations and other legal texts; at conferences and meetings, provides legal opinions and performs secretariat functions, as necessary; represents the Union, in particular regarding legal matters, at conferences and meetings with other organisations; carries out any other tasks associated with the Union’s activities and entrusted to it by the Secretary-General.

Duties / Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the General Legal Counsel, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Conduct comprehensive legal research, analyze legal documents and precedents, provide legal opinions and prepare legal documents on questions related to the functions, working methods and mandate of the Union, including relatively complex legal or policy questions in the fields of intellectual property law, commercial/contractual law (including settlement of disputes) and public/private international law (including telecommunication law).
• Assist in the preparation of opinions on particularly complex questions in the above-mentioned fields.
• Provide legal advice to technical committees (Study Groups, Working Parties, or Rapporteur Groups) on procedural matters.
• Negotiate, prepare and/or review contracts and agreements. Develop new legal forms and contractual templates with a view to improving contract management.
• Provide legal advice and assist in resolving procedural and substantive legal issues during conferences, assemblies and meetings of the Union.
• Develop proposals related to components of legal instruments such as treaty texts, internal regulations, policies and other materials.
• Prepare briefs and assist in representing the Union in cases before judicial or arbitral tribunals.
• Consult and liaise with counterparts in other organizations. Represent the Legal Affairs Unit at internal and external meetings, in accordance with instructions received.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Competencies

Qualifications required

Education:
Advanced university degree in law OR education in law from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma in law of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree. For internal candidates, a first university degree in law in combination with ten years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in public and private international law and in contract law, including at least three years at the international level. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience. Experience in the legal service of an international organization would be an advantage.

Languages:
Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.)

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Interviews may be used as a form of screening.