Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch of the Division on International Trade and Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Legal Officer reports to the Head of the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence on competition and/or consumer protection, including its relationship with trade and development.
- Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international trade law and competition and/or consumer protection law for Government officials, enterprises, consumer organizations and academics.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes and in handling private international law and international trade, competition and/or consumer protection law matters.
- Services UNCTAD intergovernmental meetings dealing with competition and/or consumer protection law and policy, including the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy and the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
- Prepares programmes of technical assistance and provides substantive backstopping to technical assistance activities on competition and/or consumer protection laws and policies, including the organization of field national and regional seminars and workshops for Government officials, enterprises, consumer organizations or academics on competition and/or consumer protection law and policy, and training of officials responsible for application of such laws.
- Prepares or assists with the preparation of international trade law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
- Prepares inputs to for communication activities, speeches, statements and other inputs for presentations by senior staff.
- Attends international, regional, and national meetings to collect information and to hold discussions with colleagues in other institutions.
- Provides guidance to more junior staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the Branch’s services.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal document, in particular on competition and/or consumer protection laws and policies. Ability to manage technical cooperation programmes on competition policy and/consumer protection. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. 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.
- 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Such experience in competition and/or consumer protection laws and policies is desirable. Experience in international competition and/or consumer protection research, policy formulation and analysis and technical cooperation and capacity building is desirable. Experience in intergovernmental support and project or programme management in the field of international competition and/or consumer protection is desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is also desirable.
Application instructions
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