The Office of the Legal Adviser provides legal advice and support to the Director-General, the Divisions and Branches of the Secretariat, and States Parties on a wide range of legal issues. In doing so, the Office ensures that the Organisation’s activities are conducted in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and relevant rules, policies and agreements.
The primary responsibility of the Office is to assist in the interpretation and implementation of the CWC, the decisions and rules of procedure of the policy-making organs, the internal legislation of the Organisation, and various sources of public international law.
The Office advises on commercial matters, the development of new internal administrative policies and procedures, and personnel-related administrative issues. Its legal services include assistance in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating international agreements and interpretation of the Headquarters Agreement between the OPCW and the Host Country.
We are looking for a dedicated and hardworking professional with in-depth theoretical knowledge of international law and extensive experience in the practical application of International Law, including the Law of Treaties, the Law of International Organizations and International Administrative Law.
The Principal Legal Officer has to facilitate the functioning of the OPCW in accordance with the legal regime of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the internal regulations of the OPCW, and international law, through the provision of legal advice and related assistance.
In this position, you will prepare and supervise the preparation of legal opinions on the interpretation and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention for the policymaking organs of the OPCW.
Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser, the Principal Legal Officer performs the following functions:
1. Prepares and supervises the preparation of legal opinions on the interpretation and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for the policy-making organs of the OPCW, and provides oral or written advice to States Parties upon request and authorisation.
2. Prepares and supervises the preparation of legal opinions for other organisational units of the Technical Secretariat, and advises on matters relating to:
3. Reviews and advises (as requested) on reports of the Technical Secretariat for meetings of the policy-making organs.
4. Supervises the Office’s input and, if requested, participates, in the preparation and negotiation of international agreements including Facility Agreements, Privileges and Immunities Agreements, relationship agreements and other agreements or arrangements.
5. Prepares and reviews the work of other legal officers on complaints against the Organisation filed by staff members before internal bodies and the ILO Administrative Tribunal. In particular, prepares or supervises the preparation of the Organisation’s written submissions to appellate bodies. Advises on any other litigation against the Organisation. Advises on the conduct of investigations.
6. Supervises the performance of the Data Protection function situated in the Office.
7. Represents the Office of the Legal Adviser on internal advisory bodies at the request of the Legal Adviser or the Director-General.
8. Assists the Legal Adviser in general management and administration of the Office, including in the preparation of the Programme and Budget of the Office, compliance with the financial and other reporting requirements, performance appraisal, recruitment of staff. Organises and prioritizes the workload and provides general coordination and supervision of assignments of legal officers.
9. In the absence of the Legal Adviser, serve as the Acting Legal Adviser.
10. Performs other duties as required.
Essential:
Advanced university degree in Law.Essential:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international organisations and/or government service, in the areas of International Law, Disarmament or Administrative Law;Knowledge of the legal aspects of the United Nations common system, including the case law of international administrative tribunals;Knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention would be an asset;Experience in the UN common system or in the OPCW would be an asset.
Professionalism:
In-depth theoretical knowledge of international law and extensive experience in the practical application of International Law, including the Law of Treaties, the Law of International Organizations and International Administrative Law. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in legal research, and proven ability in applying legal expertise to broad range of highly complex and novel legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Excellent skills in legal writing and expression and ability to independently prepare legal briefs, opinions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents for direct submission to senior officials, where applicable.
To read the other skills and competencies please click here.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. A good working knowledge of one other official language of the OPCW (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is highly desirable. Ability to conduct negotiations in English is essential. Ability to conduct negotiations in another official language of the OPCW would be an asset.
This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.
The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.
The mandatory age of separation at the OPCW is 65 years.
Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW provident fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW to ensure separating staff have the capital necessary to move on to new challenges.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.
Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.
OPCW General Terms and Conditions
Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.
Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage: ‘Werken bij een internationale organisatie’.