Context
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH – founded as OIE) is a leading intergovernmental organisation representing 183 Members worldwide. Through its activities, WOAH makes a decisive contribution to improving animal health, protecting animal welfare and strengthening Veterinary Services. The Organisation provides transparent information on world’s animal health situation, and promotes international standards, particularly in terms of the safety of trade in live animals and animal products. More information can be found on WOAH’s website. Following a review of WOAH’s institutional, technical and financial governance in 2024 by external consultants, the Assembly of Delegates requested the establishment of a “dedicated group on governance to carry out further work to revise the WOAH Basic Texts” (Resolution No. 12 of 2024). The group will operate under the title “Governance Review Committee” (also “Committee”) and is established to serve in an advisory, consensus-building capacity and will report to the Assembly. The Committee will review the external consultants’ report on WOAH’s institutional, technical and financial governance (https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2024/03/91gs-2024-wd-adm-13-basic-texts-en-1.pdf) with a view to presenting to the WOAH Assembly consensus positions on each of the recommendations of the Report and any other recommendations the Committee may deem appropriate to improve WOAH’s governance structures and processes.
At this stage it is expected that the Governance Review Committee will convene approximately six (6) meetings each year, operate for a period of three (3) years in total with a view to submit to the Assembly textual changes to WOAH’s legal framework during the final year of the Committee’s term. The Committee will work in between meetings.The Secretariat will be providing secretarial and legal services to the Committee, Council and Assembly in connection with the work described above.
Positioning and reporting
Under the authority of the Director General and the direct supervision of the Head of the Legal Affairs Unit.
Job purpose
The Legal Affairs Unit is a small and highly integrated team which reports directly to the Deputy Director General for Institutional Affairs and Governance. It provides general legal services of the highest possible standards to the Organisation regarding the implementation of its activities.
The purpose of this new position is to actively serve and provide high-quality secretarial and legal services to the Committee and WOAH’s governing bodies (Council and Assembly) as required. The Legal Officer will work under the immediate supervision of the Head of the Legal Affairs Unit and under the direction of the Deputy Director General for Institutional Affairs and Governance. S/he will work in close consultation with other team members of the Legal Affairs Unit, and generally with other internal and external stakeholders.
S/he will need to be adept at legal analysis and drafting while also possessing excellent organisational and written and oral communication skills. S/he will thrive on multi-tasking in a fast-paced and multicultural environment.
Missions and activities
Ensure in an autonomous way the management and delivery of secretarial and legal services
– Develop and implement an engagement strategy targeted at WOAH’s internal stakeholders as part of an organisational-wide change management process to support the implementation of the governance project
– Coordinate activities of the Committee, including the organisation of the Committee’s meetings; this includes working closely with various internal teams notably on the logistical aspects (hosting, translation and interpretation, etc.) and to develop whole-of-Secretariat advice for the Committee Attend all Committee’s meetings and any other meetings which might be required, and draft high-quality minutes of such meetings
– Conduct extensive legal research and analysis on a variety of legal topics covered by the Committee’s work, including administrative and institutional matters, public international law, law of international organisations and procedural aspects
– Undertake basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material as may be required for the Committee’s work
– Draft or contribute to any information papers, working documents or other material needed by the Committee or governing bodies
– Draft briefs and provide advice for senior WOAH staff and the Committee as needed
– Provide accurate legal advice on the review, interpretation and application of the Organisation’s current legal framework (e.g. basic texts and other internal regulations, policies and procedures)
– Perform research and drafting of new legal framework texts as needed, in consultation with internal teams and WOAH’s external consultant
– Provide any relevant tasks which contributes to the Committee’s timely and quality delivery of its functions, notably vis-à-vis the WOAH Council and Assembly of Delegates
– Maintain the necessary relations with and coordination within the Legal Affairs Unit’s team on the above topics
– Ensure follow-up and reporting to the Head of Unit
– Participate in any daily legal services of the Unit including public international law, international institutional law, contract law and data protection Perform other duties assigned
Expériences / Formation
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Required qualifications and experience
- – Graduate university degree (Master’s) in international law or related field of law;
- – a university degree in international law or international organisations’ law would be considered as an asset
- – Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a relevant area at the national or international level, ideally in a national administration or intergovernmental organisation
- – Experience in the legal department of an intergovernmental organisation or familiarity with the work and general functioning of intergovernmental organisations (UN or non-UN) would be an advantage
- – Applicants who do not have the foregoing experience but believe they would be competitive are invited to apply
Expected Skills
Technical skills
- – Ability to work in English at a high level including excellent oral and written communication skills;
- – another official language of the Organisation (French, Spanish) would be considered as an asset.
- – Outstanding planning and organisational skills including proactive approach, ability to anticipate and focus on priorities and objectives in reliable autonomy.
- – Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise and analyse significant amounts of information with attention de detail and accuracy.
- – Excellent writing skills and ability to draft clear, meeting reports and legal documents in English.
- – Ability to work persistently and manage effectively time.
- – Ability to work under time pressure and to juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines
- – Ability to be self-motivated and methodological, to take initiative and work collaboratively.
- – Knowledge of and experience with administrative law, public international law and law of international organisations.
- – Excellent command of the Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, Power Point) and web tools.
Personal and Interpersonal skills
- – Maturity with excellent communication and inter-personal skills (verbal, written, presentations).
- – Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
- – Capacity to work well in a team and to place team agenda before personal agenda
- – High degree of diplomacy.
- – Strong confidentiality awareness.
- – Sense of commitment and conscientiousness.
- – Sense of resilience and persistence when faced with challenges and stressful situations.
Salaire
Working conditions
- – Type of contract: Fixed-term contract.
- – Duration: 2 years renewable. Location: WOAH Headquarters 12 rue de Prony 75017 Paris, France.
- – Salary: commensurate with qualifications and experience, exempt of French income tax + annual performance bonus + plus allowances based on eligibility.
- – The post is a full-time position based at the WOAH Headquarters in Paris and requires long hours in a seated position at a computer.
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General Information
WOAH places high value on a multicultural and positive work environment.
WOAH is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates, irrespective of their origin, gender, opinions or beliefs.
If you are interested in the position, please complete your application online at the latest by January 16th, 2025
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