Legal Consultant for E-Transactions and Trust Services 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 promote economic and social development in the Arab region through regional cooperation and integration. UN-ESCWA works with member states to support their efforts in achieving sustainable development goals, enhancing economic growth, and improving the quality of life for their populations. The organization operates in 18 member countries across the Arab region, employing a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by these nations. UN-ESCWA engages in various initiatives, including research, capacity building, and policy advocacy, to foster inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant for E-Transactions and Trust Services Law involves providing specialized legal expertise to assist the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology (MTIT) in Yemen in developing a comprehensive legal framework for e-transactions and trust services. The consultant will be responsible for drafting a law that aligns with international standards and best practices, ensuring legal certainty and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in digital environments. This role requires a deep understanding of the legal implications of digital technologies and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to gather insights and feedback. The consultant will conduct thorough research, analyze existing legislation, and propose a law that addresses the unique needs of Yemen while considering regional and international practices. The consultant's work will contribute to the broader legislative package that includes Access to Information Law and Personal Data Protection Law, ensuring coherence across these legal instruments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Benchmarking and Best Practices: Review current national laws related to digital technologies in Yemen and analyze best practices from at least two regional and two international cases.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify and engage with national stakeholders through interviews and meetings, documenting findings and challenges.
• Situational Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing legislation and regulatory frameworks, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
• Law Development: Draft a suggested law that includes definitions, legal recognition of electronic records, classification of electronic signatures, regulation of trust services, and enforcement mechanisms.
• Validation and Consultation: Present the draft law to national entities for feedback and update the draft based on comments received.
• Finalization: Deliver a final report summarizing activities and recommendations for implementation, ensuring gender-sensitive language and considerations throughout the research process.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law or a related field, with a Ph.D. degree being desirable. A minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in drafting or assessing e-transactions legislation, electronic signature law, or trust service regulation is required. Familiarity with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) frameworks and certification authority regulatory models is desirable, as is knowledge of the Yemeni legal system or civil law systems in the Arab region. Previous experience in delivering research papers is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in law or a related field is required for this position. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational qualifications, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A Ph.D. degree is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in the legal field, specifically in drafting or providing advisory assessments related to e-transactions legislation, electronic signature law, or trust service regulation. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the legal frameworks governing digital transactions and possess the ability to analyze and propose legal solutions that align with international standards.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in all four areas of language use: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is also beneficial but not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be remote and has a duration of 16 weeks. The consultant will be required to submit all deliverables in Arabic, ensuring professional quality and clarity. The final report must adhere to specific formatting guidelines, including a table of contents and proper referencing of sources. It is important to note that the content generated during this consultancy will be the sole property of ESCWA, and any publication or announcement regarding the report must receive prior authorization from ESCWA and MTIT. Additionally, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.