Legal Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Legal Officer
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch of the Division on International Trade and Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). UNCTAD was established in 1964 and is dedicated to promoting the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The organization has a mission to support developing nations in their efforts to achieve sustainable development through trade, investment, and technology. UNCTAD operates in over 190 countries and employs a diverse workforce of approximately 1,000 staff members, including experts in various fields related to trade and development.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer will play a crucial role in conducting extensive legal research and analysis related to competition and consumer protection laws, particularly in the context of international trade and development. This position requires the preparation of various legal documents, including studies, reports, and legislative texts, aimed at informing government officials, enterprises, and consumer organizations. The Legal Officer will also be responsible for negotiating agreements and contracts with various stakeholders, including governments and NGOs, and will provide substantive support for technical assistance activities. This role involves attending intergovernmental meetings, preparing background materials, and delivering training sessions on competition and consumer protection laws. The Legal Officer will also be expected to guide junior staff and perform administrative tasks necessary for the effective delivery of the Branch’s services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer's duties include conducting legal research and analysis, preparing studies and reports on competition and consumer protection, reviewing legal documents, drafting background papers and legislative texts, negotiating agreements, and providing support for intergovernmental meetings. The officer will also prepare technical assistance programs, organize seminars and workshops, and deliver lectures on international trade law. Additionally, the Legal Officer will be responsible for preparing communication materials for senior staff and attending meetings to gather information and engage with colleagues from other institutions. Guidance to junior staff and administrative tasks are also part of the responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of legal principles, particularly in competition and consumer protection laws. The ability to manage technical cooperation programs and conduct legal research is essential. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in drafting legal documents and possess good legal judgment. Professionalism, effective communication skills, teamwork, and strong planning and organizing abilities are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing, is required. Experience in competition and consumer protection laws and policies is desirable, as is experience in international competition research, policy formulation, and technical cooperation. Candidates with experience in intergovernmental support and project management in the field of international competition and consumer protection will be preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, while knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is project funded and temporarily available for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and performance. The position may be limited to internal candidates and is subject to specific eligibility criteria. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to follow all application instructions carefully.