Legal Consultant for Access to Information 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 to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. Founded in 1973, ESCWA aims to foster cooperation among its member states and provide them with a platform for dialogue and collaboration on various issues, including governance, sustainable development, and social justice. 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. ESCWA's mission is to support member states in achieving inclusive and sustainable development through evidence-based policy-making, capacity building, and technical assistance. The organization is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance as essential components of democratic societies.

Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant for Access to Information Law involves providing expert advisory services to assist in the development of a national Access to Information (ATI) law in Yemen. The consultant will be responsible for conducting comprehensive research and analysis of existing legal frameworks, engaging with national stakeholders, and drafting a law that aligns with international standards and best practices. This role is crucial in ensuring that the ATI law not only protects the public's right to access information but also establishes clear obligations for public authorities and mechanisms for oversight and appeal. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology (MTIT) in Yemen and the ESCWA team to ensure that the law is tailored to the national context while being coherent with other related legal instruments being developed simultaneously. The consultant is expected to produce a detailed report in Arabic, including a thorough analysis of existing legislation, stakeholder engagement findings, and a draft law that incorporates necessary provisions for effective implementation.

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

• Benchmarking and Best Practices: Review current national laws related to digital and emerging technologies in Yemen and analyze best regional and international practices in ATI law.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify key national stakeholders, conduct interviews and meetings, and document findings.
• Situational Analysis: Analyze existing legislation and conduct a comprehensive gap analysis.
• Law Development: Draft a suggested ATI law based on national needs and international best practices, ensuring it includes essential components such as definitions, rights of access, disclosure obligations, and enforcement provisions.
• Validation and Consultation: Present the draft law to national entities for feedback and incorporate comments into the final draft.
• Finalization: Deliver a comprehensive report summarizing activities and recommendations for phased implementation, ensuring gender considerations are integrated throughout the research and writing process.

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, reviewing, or providing advisory assessments on access to information, freedom of information, or transparency legislation is required. Familiarity with the Yemeni legal system or civil law systems in the Arab region is preferred, along with previous experience in delivering research papers. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in law or a related field is required for this position. A Ph.D. degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of legal frameworks related to access to information and transparency legislation.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of access to information, freedom of information, or transparency legislation. Candidates should have a proven track record in drafting and reviewing legal documents, as well as experience in the domain of cyber legislation. Familiarity with the Yemeni legal system or civil law systems in the Arab region is considered an asset, as is previous experience in conducting research and delivering papers on related topics.

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, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand), while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be remote and will last for approximately 16 weeks. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates should be aware that the content of the generated document will be the sole property of ESCWA. The consultant must ensure that all deliverables are original and properly referenced, as ESCWA routinely checks for plagiarism. Additionally, the consultant is required to maintain confidentiality regarding the content of the report and must not disclose any information without prior authorization from ESCWA.