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Senior Legal Adviser

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Archived vacancy details

The following information is provided for archival purpose only.

Issued by: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
Vacancy number: VNSMUS00799
Vacancy type: International Seconded
Field of expertise: Rule of Law
Functional level: Middle management
Grade: S3
Number of posts: 1
Duty station: Kyiv
Date of issue: 9 October 2018
Deadline for application: 30 October 2018 - 23:59 Central European Time (CET/CEST)

Background:

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is an unarmed, civilian mission, present on the ground 24/7 throughout Ukraine. Its main tasks are to observe and report in an impartial and objective way on the situation in Ukraine; and to facilitate dialogue among all parties to the crisis. The Mission contributes to reducing tensions and to fostering peace, stability and security. The Mission engages with authorities at all levels, as well as civil society, ethnic and religious groups and local communities. The Mission gathers information and reports on the security situation; and establishes and reports facts in response to specific incidents, including those concerning alleged violations of fundamental OSCE principles. The Mission currently foresees around 1,450 mission members spread across 10 Monitoring Teams and budgetary resources of about EUR 100 million.

For additional information about the mission, please see: https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine

The Mission, in line with the OSCE SMM Gender Equality Action Plan, is committed to improving the gender balance among staff in all areas and levels within the SMM. Currently female professionals, especially in senior management roles, are underrepresented within the SMM. Female candidates are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for this management opportunity.

Note: Candidates who were nominated for the previous issuance of this post, VNSMUS00746, do not need to be re-nominated; their applications will automatically be considered.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff and in consultation and co-ordination with the OSCE Secretariat Legal Services, the Senior Legal Adviser will have the following responsibilities:

Co-ordinating and supervising the work of the Legal Office and its staff (2 international and 2 national mission members) for the provision of legal advice to the Chief Monitor and Mission Senior Management on legal matters arising from the Mission's status and operation;
Co-ordinating, supervising and, as appropriate, undertaking research and studying legal precedents related to the function, structure and activities of the Mission, inter alia the areas set out in the Mission's mandate and international, public, private and administrative law, and international civil service law; assisting in ensuring consistency of interpretations of legal instruments relevant to the work of the Mission;
Providing legal advice on disciplinary procedures and other personnel-related matters and appeals against administrative decisions in conformity with OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules, and Staff Instructions and the wider OSCE regulatory framework;
Providing legal advice and analysis on questions of international law affecting the status and privileges and immunities of the Mission and its personnel;
Advising on claims by and against the Mission, customs and tax matters, international transport law, and contracts; ensuring legal reviewing and clearing of and drafting legal documents, including SMM contracts, Memoranda of Understanding, Implementing Partner Agreements, Notes Verbale and official correspondence/responses to official correspondence;
Co-ordinating the Mission legal consultations and liaising with the OSCE Secretariat Legal Services regarding compliance with and consistent application of OSCE CRMS; co-ordinating discussions on legal matters of interest to the Mission and to the OSCE internally as well as with local institutions and international organizations at the local level where appropriate;
Performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualification and Experience:

Required:

A minimum of six years of directly related professional experience, including four years at the international level;
Substantial experience in providing legal advice and drafting and reviewing legal texts, including legal opinions, contracts, agreements, and official correspondence;
Demonstrated experience in supervising the work of a legal team and co-ordinating internally with other units or departments;
Political intuition and tact; strong analytical skills; resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement;
Strong analytical skills and ability to take into account various policy implications and identify strategic issues;
Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to resolve sensitive and/or complex issues;
Professional fluency in the English language with the ability to communicate orally and draft clearly and concisely;
Ability to operate Windows applications including word processing and e-mail;
Flexibility and ability to work within limited time frames; proven resilience to high stress environments and willingness to travel;
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural and religious background, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
Demonstrated commitment to gender equality objectives as well as the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Desirable:

Experience in working in Eastern Europe and/or knowledge of the region;
Active license to practice law;
Experience with the OSCE, UN common system and/or other international organizations.

Education:

Second-level university degree in law.

Required Competencies:

Core values

Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization's core values and organizational principles
Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

Core competencies

Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances

Managerial competencies

Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities

Additional Information:

Seconded Mission members in the SMM are entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance (BLA) payable by the Organization at the amount of EUR 125 per day (subject to change without prior notice).

Should evidence of coverage of a world-wide Health Insurance scheme, including war risk, not be presented, the Mission member will be registered with the OSCE group health insurance scheme of Cigna. Monthly rates will be deducted from the Mission member's BLA.

How to Apply:

Please note that nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are not eligible to apply.

Initial duration of assignment for this post is for a period of 12 months, with a possibility of extension, subject to a subsequent OSCE Permanent Council Decision to extend the mandate of the Mission. If applicable, deployment is subject to attendance to and successful completion of pre-deployment training and assessment.

Applicants are hereby notified that the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is designated by the OSCE as a non-family duty station. This designation is based on the fluid and dynamic working environment in the SMM and with due consideration to recommendations of the UN International Civil Service Commission. The currently prevailing working conditions in the duty station may include working in a hazardous location with extended hours of service, and possibly curtailed freedom of movement. Successful candidates who are appointed to locations deemed by the OSCE as hazardous will receive hazard pay. In addition, all successful candidates will be required to participate in the OSCE accident and life insurance scheme in accordance with the OSCE Staff Regulations and Staff Rules.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.

Alert

You can not apply to this vacancy anymore.
Sorry, the application deadline for this vacancy has expired.