Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
The Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau (LEB) provides advice and assistance on legal and external relations matters generally and in support of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives, to the ICAO Member States, the Governing Bodies, the President of the Council, the Secretary General, and other ICAO Bureaus and Regional Offices. With regard to legal matters, the Bureau is responsible for: the provision of legal advice to the Governing Bodies and the Secretariat on any issue of law, in particular on international law and air law; the general development of air law; the review of all agreements and contracts; and the performance of the treaty depositary functions of the Organization. The Bureau is the focal point for all matters related to the functions of the Supervisory Authority of the International Registry, which was established pursuant to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town, 2001) (Cape Town Convention) and the Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters specific to Aircraft Equipment (Cape Town 2001) (Aircraft Protocol). With regard to external relations matters, the Bureau is responsible for: maintaining close and harmonious working relations with Member States; serving as focal point for the Organization’s relations with the Host Government; carrying out liaison and protocol functions; and monitoring and providing policy guidance and advice on current political events which might affect ICAO.
Responsibilities
Under general guidance of the Deputy Director (DD/LEB) and the supervision of the Legal Officer dealing with International Registry matters, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
Prepares correspondence and documentation relating to the International Registry of Mobile Assets (Aircraft Equipment) (International Registry), achieving results such as:
- Draft and edit State letters, IOMs, circulars, notices, and other correspondence and documentation related to the functions of the Supervisory Authority of the International Registry.
- Assist with the preparation of material, including working papers, on Registry matters for sessions of the Council, Legal Committee (LC), the Legal Commission, the Commission of Experts of the Supervisory Authority of the International Registry (CESAIR) and other conferences/working groups.
- Assist in the preparation of reports of meetings of CESAIR, of formal meetings with the Registrar and reports to the Parties to the Cape Town Convention and the Aircraft Protocol.
- Assist with the preparation of documentation/correspondence to CESAIR in between meetings.
- Create PowerPoint presentations for briefings on, e.g., Cape Town Convention/International Registry matters.
Assists in providing legal advice with respect to the work of the Supervisory Authority of the International Registry, achieving results such as:
- Validate, draft, edit and conduct final check of a variety of specialized/legal documentation, legal publications and related correspondence concerning supervisory functions, for accuracy and completeness in conformity with established legal procedures (e.g., Regulations and Procedures for the International Registry, Rules of Procedure for CESAIR).
- Propose amendments for legal accuracy, clarity and/or improvement of style of such documentation.
- Assist in the review of contracts between the Registrar and its major sub-contractors.
- Assess International Registry practices for conformity with the Cape Town Convention and the Regulations and Procedures for the International Registry.
- Assist with the monitoring of court cases in which the Registrar is a party.
Assists with the supervision of the Registrar and the operation of the International Registry, achieving results such as:
- Assist with the provision of guidance to the Registrar.
- Assist with the review of documents and reports emanating from the Registrar, including budgets, investment plans, operations reports, annual reports, financial statements, and compliance reports, and liaise with other Bureaus as necessary.
- When up for renewal, assist with the negotiation and drafting of the contract for the operation of the International Registry.
Conducts legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in international and treaty law, achieving results such as:
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information relating to the areas of research, and provide legal analysis of the findings, along with related recommendations, where necessary, for internal review.
- Collect relevant data, practices, procedures, and usage relevant to the legal work of the Supervisory Authority and of the Organization in general.
- Draft legal opinions or legal memoranda on questions which may arise in the various bodies of the Organization, including questions concerning the interpretation of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago, 1944) and the Annexes thereto, the Cape Town instruments, as well as other international air law instruments.
Assists in providing general legal advice and assistance to the various bodies of the Organization and to the Member States, achieving results such as:
- Assist with items on the General Work Programme of the Legal Committee.
- Prepare timely and appropriate replies to correspondence, enquiries, inter-office memoranda and other requests having legal implications, including on matters related to the work of the Supervisory Authority and the Cape Town instruments.
- Facilitate negotiations and meetings requiring legal advice or expertise.
Assists in drafting or reviewing agreements, memoranda of understanding, contracts, and other instruments to which the Organization is a party, achieving results such as:
- Prepare or review key provisions of agreements including privileges and immunities to protect ICAO’s legal interests.
- Review the proposed agreements or other instruments between ICAO and States, International Organizations, or other entities to ensure compliance with applicable precedents and conformity with subject matter frameworks.
- Coordinate with various Bureaus and Offices, as needed.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of the aviation industry and related activities, including the work and procedures of the Supervisory Authority. 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.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Planning and 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.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for her/his own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- 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.
- Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
- An advanced level university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, including international law, air law, or in a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with a professional legal qualification may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree in law in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- Minimum of three years’ experience in the practice of aviation law and international law, of which at least two years should have been in the service of a national government, international organization, civil aviation regulatory body, major international airline, and/or major industry service provider (such as an airport or aircraft manufacturer) is required.
- Experience in the analysis and drafting of legal opinions and instruments is required.
- Experience in conducting legal research using diverse research sources (including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases) is required.
- Experience in reviewing and synthesizing legal information and presenting findings and recommendations in the requested format is required.
- Practical experience in assisting with negotiations at the international level is desirable.
Languages
- Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English is required.
- A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is desirable.
Application instructions
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