Legal Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To enable the Organization's activities to be carried out in accordance with the WHO Constitution and other applicable legal guidance. In this framework, the specific activities include\:

- providing legal advice to all levels of the Organization and externally to Member States, stakeholders and partners;

- facilitating the understanding of the Organization's normative instruments and activities, and legal framework among relevant stakeholders, in particular\: Member States, other UN system entities and other intergovernmental organizations, non-State actors and the general public.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of a Senior Legal Officer, GBI and the Principal Legal Officer, as appropriate, the incumbent will\:

 

- provide advice, orally and in writing, on procedural and substantive legal questions arising in the course of the operation of the World Health Assembly and its sub-committees, the Executive Board, the Programme Budget and Administration Committee, the Regional Committees, the Commission of the FAO/WHO Food Standards Program and its sub-committees as well as Expert Committees and other technical advisory groups through, inter alia, conducting research and analysis on assigned legal issues, drafting a wide range of documents, preparing legal opinions, and liaising with relevant staff members, as appropriate;

 

- provide advice, orally and in writing, on procedural and substantive legal questions arising in the course of the operation of intergovernmental meetings that take place in between the regular sessions of the WHO governing bodies through, inter alia, conducting research and analysis on assigned legal issues, drafting a wide range of documents, preparing legal opinions and liaising with relevant colleagues, as appropriate;

 

- protect the Organization's interests through actively contributing to the development, negotiation, adoption and management of international legal instruments between WHO and other entities such as Member States, other intergovernmental organizations or non-State actors, in particular insofar as the status of the Organization / its privileges and immunities under international law is/are concerned;

 

- ensure that decision-making by technical units, both in terms of procedure and in terms of substance, is well-informed by legal considerations in compliance with WHO rules, regulations, and policies, including in situations where there may be limited or no precedents and where new policy may need to be developed (with particular regard to sensitive political areas and matters), and including in the areas of international administrative and commercial matters as needed;

 

- assume other functions of a legal nature as may be required by the exigencies of the work of the Office the presentation of the work of the Office to WHO staff and visitors to the Organization and, as appropriate, the representation of the Office on missions and the day-to-day supervision of legal interns assigned to the Office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: A first level university degree in Law.
Desirable\: An advanced university degree in international law.

Experience

Essential\: A minimum of 5 years of legal experience, of which at least two years in providing legal advice in relation to the governing bodies of a UN common system entity. Proven experience in communicating legal considerations to non-lawyers in a time-sensitive and clear manner, both written and oral. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable\: Experience in the legal office of a government department or of an UN common system entity. Admission to legal practice in a national jurisdiction. Proven record of continued academic interest in public international law-related matters.

Skills

Solid understanding of public international law and the law of international organizations and thorough knowledge of the legal structure, legal instruments and principles as applicable in WHO.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable\:

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 60,233 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3363 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.