Legal Officer (S)

The Legal Officer provides expert legal advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the OSCE, including regulatory framework interpretation, international agreements, contractual matters, and procedural issues. The role supports the Head of the Office of Legal Affairs and represents the office in various working groups and committees.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert and timely legal advice on the interpretation of the regulatory framework of the Organization, including the Financial and Staff Regulations, Rules, Instructions and other administrative issuances, and prepare drafts and review proposed amendments thereto
• Prepare drafts and review other administrative issuances (e.g., policy guidance, guidelines) and verify their consistency with the Regulations, Rules and Instructions
• Provide expert and timely legal advice on the full scope of multi-disciplinary, complex and novel legal issues relating to the function of the Organization, including concerning the legal status and privileges and immunities of the OSCE and its officials
• Provide expert and timely legal advice on the drafting, negotiation and interpretation of legal instruments, including international agreements, arrangements, memoranda of understanding or other legal arrangements concluded on behalf of the Organization with participating States, international organizations and other entities
• Provide expert and timely legal advice on contractual matters, as required, including dispute resolution, intellectual property rights, insurance and data protection
• Participate in the drafting and negotiation of leases and high value and complex commercial contracts with senior officials in the Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations
• Provide expert and timely legal advice on procedural issues arising in OSCE decision-making bodies
• Conduct legal research and analysis for the preparation of legal opinions, studies, reports or correspondence
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in Law is required
• A second-level university degree would be desirable
• A minimum of seven years (five with a second-level university degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required, including at least one year in international organizations
• Proven knowledge of the legal frameworks of international organizations
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills
• Working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is an asset
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications

Skills

• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• International Law
• Legal Frameworks of International Organizations
• Contract Law
• Regulatory Framework Interpretation
• Procedural Law
• Gender Awareness in Legal Context
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Legal Advice
• Representation in Working Groups
• Legal Drafting

Languages

English