Legal Specialist

The project “Support to the Rule of Law through Digital Transformation: Advancing Case Management and Business Intelligence Capabilities in Albania”, known as the EU4Digital Justice Project (EU4DJ), seeks to strengthen the rule of law in Albania. It focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of judicial institutions while aligning the human rights framework with EU best practices. Over its four-year implementation period, the project will modernize key judicial processes through digitalization and enhance the interoperability of digital systems across various justice institutions.

To support this initiative, the project requires a Legal Specialist to provide expert advice and guidance on Albania’s national legal frameworks and statutes. This role is essential to ensure that the design and implementation of digital solutions comply with applicable legal standards, including EU requirements. The Legal Specialist will report to the Senior Project Manager and contribute to the project on an as-needed basis.

 Functional Responsibilities:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Project Manager, the Legal Specialist is responsible for ensuring that legal advice and recommendation is provided to the project team for the implementation of the activities:  

• Legal Analysis: Assess existing national laws, regulations, and policies relevant for the implementation of project activities; identify potential legal gaps, risks and compliance issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Legal Updates: Regularly consult with stakeholders, including government agencies, judicial institutions, and EU representatives, to stay informed about developments in the justice sector. Monitor changes in national laws, regulations, and best practices, adapting strategies to address emerging legal risks and ensure alignment with current standards.
• EU Standards and Integration: Analyze and consider relevant EU standards, practices, and requirements related to national justice reform and EU integration. Ensure that project activities align with EU directives and support Albania’s broader objectives of harmonization with EU frameworks.
• Technical and Quality Support: Contribute to the design and development of digital solutions by offering relevant legal analysis and advisory support, ensuring compliance with national and EU regulations. This includes evaluating legal gap analysis, addressing data protection and privacy concerns, and ensuring the interoperability of digital systems aligns with best practices and legal frameworks.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Support the project manager in conducting preliminary risk assessments to identify factors that could impact project viability from technical and regulatory perspectives, and recommend proactive solutions.
• Due Diligence and Documentation: Prepare a due diligence checklist, document legal advice and compliance activities as requested by the supervisor.
• Review and Advisory: Evaluate local best practices and research on copyright, intellectual property, data protection, information security, procurement, and contracting.
• The advice provided by the Legal Special will be limited to providing necessary local law advice in the context of project implementation and the matters listed above. Any issue that relates to other legal matters shall be referred to UNOPS Legal Group.

Matters falling under the purview of UNOPS Legal Group include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Legal clearance and interpretation of engagements and any amendments thereof;
• Legal clearance of deviations to and interpretation of General Conditions in UNOPS grant agreements and procurement contracts, including works contracts;
• Legal advice related to disputes between UNOPS and external parties, including representation of UNOPS in legal proceedings;
• Other legal advice related to UNOPS’ operations that does not require local law advice;
• Legal advice related to UNOPS privileges and immunities and UNOPS’ status as a UN entity;
• Administrative law advice and personnel disputes.

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, or a closely related area is required or a  first-level university degree in law (Bachelor’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years experience in legal analysis and advising on national laws is required
• Familiarity with Albania’s legal system and national regulations, as well as EU regulations especially in relation to the judiciary and public administration is required;
• Demonstrated experience working on projects involving the legal aspects of developing, implementing, and deploying IT systems, ideally within the government sector
• Expertise in data protection and privacy laws (e.g., GDPR or local data protection regulations) and applying these principles to IT projects is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity legal issues, information security regulations, and best practices for protecting sensitive data and systems is an asset.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English and Albanian is required

Source:  https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29449#1