Legal Consultant for Personal Data Protection Law

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 197

• Its mission is to support the economic and social development of its member states through research, policy analysis, and technical assistance. UN ESCWA operates in 18 member countries across the Arab region, focusing on various issues including sustainable development, economic integration, and social justice. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals and collaborates with various stakeholders to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant for Personal Data Protection Law involves providing specialized expertise in the development of a personal data protection law tailored to the Yemeni legal and institutional context. The consultant will be responsible for drafting a comprehensive report that includes a detailed analysis of existing legislation, stakeholder engagement, and the formulation of a new law that aligns with international standards and best practices. This role is crucial in supporting Yemen's digital transformation efforts and ensuring the protection of individuals' rights in the digital environment. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) and UN ESCWA to ensure that the proposed law meets the needs of the country while adhering to global standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Benchmarking and Best Practices: Reviewing current national laws related to digital technologies in Yemen and analyzing regional and international best practices in personal data protection law.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying key national stakeholders, conducting interviews and meetings, and documenting findings.
• Situational Analysis: Analyzing existing legislation and conducting a gap analysis against international standards.
• Law Development: Drafting a suggested personal data protection law that includes essential components such as definitions, legal bases for processing data, data subject rights, and obligations of data controllers.
• Validation and Consultation: Presenting the draft law to national entities and updating it based on feedback.
• Finalization: Delivering a final report that summarizes activities and proposes a phased roadmap for the law's implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law or a related field, with a Ph.D. being desirable. A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in drafting or providing regulatory advisory assessments of personal data protection legislation is required. Familiarity with the Yemeni legal system or civil law systems in the Arab region is preferred, along with expertise in digital technology and digital identity issues. Previous experience in delivering research papers is also desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in law or a related field is mandatory for this position. Candidates are required to submit a copy of their educational qualifications, and incomplete applications will not be considered. A Ph.D. degree is preferred but not mandatory.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of personal data protection legislation. Candidates should have a proven track record in drafting legal documents and providing regulatory advice, particularly in the context of personal data protection. Familiarity with the Yemeni legal system or civil law systems in the Arab region is considered an asset, as is experience in digital technology and identity issues.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of ESCWA. Knowledge of French is also beneficial but not mandatory. Fluency is defined as being able to speak, read, write, and understand the language at a high level, while knowledge indicates a confident ability in at least two of these areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 16 weeks and is primarily remote. The consultant must ensure that all deliverables are submitted in Arabic and adhere to the specified formatting requirements. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be aware that their bank account information is not required.