By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

CS Legal Affairs Officer

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • HQ/CSF Secretariat, WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Control
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Convention Secretariat, WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an entity established under the provisions of the Convention. Its mandate is to support Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention; to provide the necessary support to the COP and its subsidiary bodies; and to translate into programme activities the decisions of the COP. In addition, the Convention Secretariat conducts activities to promote the implementation of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, for which it will also be the Secretariat. The Convention Secretariat is hosted by WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Organize and lead the work on legal matters and treaty law in the Convention Secretariat and provide international expertise in this area.

2. Advise and assist the Head of the Convention Secretariat on legal matters in organizing the support to governing bodies and international cooperation, and provide legal advice to the COP, the MOP and their subsidiary bodies as requested and for significant legal matters in coordination with the WHO Office of the Legal Counsel.

3. Coordinate the Secretariat's team of legal experts and advise and empower the team leaders and technical officers in the Secretariat on legal matters related to treaty tools, treaty bodies, and treaty implementation.

4. Plan, coordinate and oversee the work of the team of legal experts in all areas of the law relevant to the Convention, including public international law, trade law, human rights law, mutual administrative and legal assistance, matters of jurisdiction and law enforcement, settlement of disputes, and litigation.

5. Prepare and present legal opinions and organize and guide the preparation of legal reports and reviews on treaty matters, as necessary.

6. Review relevant rules of international law and experiences of other relevant treaties and provide recommendations on their implications for the WHO FCTC, the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, and other possible protocols.

7. Advise and assist Parties on legal aspects of the WHO FCTC, the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products and other possible protocols, develop and manage the legal component of the treaty implementation assistance strategy, lead assessments of and anticipate Parties' and governing bodies' needs on complex and emerging issues of a legal character.

8. Promote the implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol, including through assistance and advice to Parties, including in their efforts toward ratification/accession; organization of and participation in awareness raising workshops.

9. Build and facilitate a network of legal experts and institutions to promote the awareness on, and the utilization of, the legal dimension of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol as the relevant international conventional instruments on international tobacco control.

10. Draft documentation on legal matters for the COP, the MOP, and their subsidiary bodies; review and provide legal feedback on draft documentation relating to other matters. Prepare and/or review draft decisions and agreements, as well as letters and other official documents for submission to Parties, observers and international partners.

11. Participate in the review of implementation reports of Parties and the preparation of annual progress reports on implementation of the Convention internationally, with a particular focus on aspects such as international legal cooperation and assistance, relationships with other agreements and legal instruments, multisectoral engagement, liability, and new and emerging national legislation.

12. Represent the Convention Secretariat in international forums to promote the WHO FCTC and the Protocol agenda, participate in the Secretariat's strategic planning and management, and perform other related tasks at the request of the Head of the Convention Secretariat.

13. Ensure close collaboration with the WHO Office of the Legal Counsel on the provision of advice on significant legal issues to the Secretariat and to the WHO FCTC and Protocol governing bodies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Post graduate university degree in law, with emphasis on public international law.
Desirable\: Doctorate degree in international law, training related to intergovernmental negotiations and agreements.

Experience

Essential\: At least ten years of progressive experience in different areas of public international law, including extensive experience in treaty matters and international negotiations. Experience in working in other intergovernmental secretariats.
Desirable\: Several years in government and/or in an international organization, experience related to legal research, international law, as well as on rules of procedure and protocol.

Skills

- Excellent knowledge of international law, in particular broad knowledge of treaty law and practice in different areas of the law; knowledge of other treaties and ability to draw on their experiences.

- Skills in developing and presenting clear, logical and legally sound opinions, good analytical and presentation skills. In-depth knowledge of and expertise in intergovernmental negotiations.

- Ability to effectively support international negotiation processes, and to work with a large forum of governments on a global scale, and in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, with good political sense and tact.

- Knowledge of public international law, and in particular the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade, as well as related areas of the law.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of another WHO working language.

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 87,108 (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 4864 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.
  • 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.
  • As a WHO staff member assigned solely and exclusively to support this Partnership, selected staff will have no right of reassignment or transfer outside the Partnership either during or at the end of his/her appointment, including pursuant to WHO Staff Rule 1050. (This does not apply to WHO fixed-term staff members reassigned from a non-Partnership position.)
This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: