Individual Contractor (Legal Assistant)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA was founded in 1973 and has since been working to support member states in achieving sustainable development goals through various initiatives and programs. The organization operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on enhancing regional cooperation and integration. ESCWA's mission includes providing a platform for dialogue, sharing knowledge, and fostering partnerships among member states to address common challenges and promote inclusive growth.

Job Overview:
The Individual Contractor (Legal Assistant) position is designed to provide essential research support in the areas of legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly focusing on the building materials sector in Oman. The contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all deliverables are completed within the agreed timelines, incorporating feedback received, and submitting all related statistical tools, data sets, and portal updates in a clear and organized format by the end of the contract. This role is crucial for strengthening legal transparency and policy coherence in the Arab region, contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The contractor will engage in various tasks, including legal analysis, database updates, report preparation, and the development of capacity-building materials, while supporting the completion of chapters on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and corporate law.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Individual Contractor include:

• Conducting research and analysis on legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to the building materials sector in Oman, providing inputs for the drafting and review of the study’s legal components.
• Assisting in the legal and policy review elements of Oman’s 10th National Development Plan, preparing concise inputs and summaries for inclusion in the final report.
• Contributing to the completion and publication of remaining chapters on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Corporate Law under the Arab Business Legislative Framework, reviewing and updating earlier chapters on competition and consumer protection, ensuring overall consistency in content and presentation.
• Gathering and verifying legislative texts and related resources for the Arab Legislations Portal, updating and maintaining the database, and ensuring accurate classification for efficient retrieval.
• Assisting in the finalization of materials for the legal workshop on competition policy for judges in the UAE, including relevant legal references and case studies, and supporting logistical and organizational arrangements.
• Conducting legal research, drafting and editing legal documents and reports, maintaining organized electronic legal files, and performing other related tasks as assigned.
• Performing other related duties as required to support the successful delivery of project outputs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in law, business law, or related areas. An advanced university degree in these fields is desirable. All candidates are required to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. While no previous work experience is required for this position, research knowledge in the fields of law or related fields is considered desirable. This ensures that candidates have a foundational understanding of the legal landscape relevant to the tasks at hand.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in law, business law, or related fields. An advanced university degree in these areas is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex legal issues. Candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications as part of the application process, as this is a critical requirement for consideration.

Experience:
For this position, no previous work experience is required. However, candidates with research knowledge in the fields of law or related areas will be viewed favorably. This allows for a diverse pool of applicants, including recent graduates or those transitioning into the legal field, to apply and contribute to the important work being done by ESCWA.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages at ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in all four areas of language proficiency: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. While French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, it is not mandatory for this role, making English and Arabic the primary languages of communication.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 6 months, providing a temporary contract for the selected candidate. The role is not specified as full-time or part-time, but given the nature of the responsibilities, it is likely to require a significant commitment. The recruitment process is conducted by the United Nations, which does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial burdens. Additionally, the United Nations does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts, maintaining a focus on ethical recruitment practices.