VA ID: 1965 Grade Level: P-4 Division: Division of Administration Section: Office of the Director, ADM Unit: Type of Appointment: Consultancy Appointment Date of Issuance: 21 December 2023 Deadline for Applications: 11 January 2024 Vacancy Reference: VACADM-1965-2023 Reporting Date: As soon as possible

Please note that all candidates should adhere to CTBTO Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity.

Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

A roster of suitable candidates may be established for similar positions at the same level as a result of this selection process for a period of two (2) years.

Organizational Background

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the treaty banning any nuclear-weapon-test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communications system, an international data centre and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.

Organizational Setting

The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization with its headquarters in Vienna is the international organization setting up the global verification system foreseen under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is the Treaty banning any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosions. The Treaty provides for a global verification regime, including a network of 337 stations worldwide, a communication system, an International Data Centre, and on-site inspections to monitor compliance.

The Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) of the Preparatory Commission is continuing its comprehensive review of the Preparatory Commission’s regulatory framework relating to staff administration, which includes the Staff Regulations and Rules (SRR) and the relevant Administrative Directives (ADs).

The PTS also seeks the services of a consultant to perform the function of the Secretary of the Joint Appeals Panel (JAP) and the Joint Disciplinary Panel (JDP). In this context, the PTS is looking for a legal expert who has the required seniority and subject matter expertise in international administrative law and experience overseeing the administration of internal appeals and disciplinary cases, to advise the respective Panels on relevant legal and procedural matters, in line with the Staff Regulations and Rules (SRR), Administrative Directives (ADs) and jurisprudence of the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT). The legal expert will also support and provide services for the Preparatory Commission’s review of the staff administration-related regulatory framework.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Division of Administration, and in close collaboration with the Senior HR Policy and Coordination Officer, to:

Duties and Responsibilities

Act as the Secretary of the JAP on a case-to-case basis; Act as the Secretary of the JDP on a case-to-case basis; Advise the JAP and JDP, respectively, on substantive legal issues, including relevant precedents, and on technical and procedural matters pertaining to individual cases, including application of the relevant Rules of Procedure; Maintain the repository for the proper management and archiving of JAP and JDP case files and other materials, ensuring implementation of proper confidentiality protocols; Provide regular updates to the Executive Secretary and Director of Knowledge Management and Human Resources Services (KM&HRS) about the status of JAP and JDP cases; Monitor for possible revisions to the Preparatory Commission’s regulatory framework related to the work of the JAP and JDP in line with the best practices in the UN Common System; In coordination with the Director of KM&HRS, review existing guidance and procedures related to the role and conduct of Personnel Advisory Panels (PAP), update and develop training and guidance materials for PAP Members, and conduct training sessions. Support the HRS-Legal regulatory reform project, including by reviewing and proposing revisions to the Preparatory Commission’s Administrative Directives on standards of conduct and disciplinary measures and harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of authority, fraud awareness and prevention,, in line with the best practices in the UN Common System, and creating guidance materials to assist staff members in understanding their responsibilities and obligations pertaining to these policies.

The consultant will contribute to:

Effective and efficient conduct of the duties of the Secretary of the JAP and JDP; Effective and timely support to the Chairperson of the JAP and JDP; Provision of timely, relevant and accurate advice to JAP and JDP Members in the constituted Panels; Timely updates to the Executive Secretary and Director, KM&HRS on JAP and JDP cases; Creation and updating of guidance and training materials pertaining to the work of PAPs, and conduct of trainings for PAPs; Development of recommendations and revisions pertaining to the review of the above specified Administrative Directives, and creation of guidance materials on these policies for staff members.

The specific delivery dates and indicators for the evaluation of outputs will be discussed and agreed upon during the initial meeting and might be adjusted from time to time, depending on the need of the Organization.

All materials created and developed pursuant to this consultancy shall be the property of the CTBTO and shall be handed over accordingly at the end of the consultancy.

Education

Advanced university degree in law, international administrative law, or a related field is required.

Work Experience and Qualifications

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience providing legal advice and services related to international and administrative law, including overseeing the administration of internal appeals and disciplinary cases, part of which should have been in an international environment is required; Experience in conducting workplace related investigations or handling disciplinary matters in an international organization is an asset; Sound experience in the presentation of cases before administrative appeal bodies and in the preparation of sound legal analysis and advice on a wide-range of human resource and internal justice matters is required;Knowledge of jurisprudence and procedures of administrative tribunals at the international level as well as of the legal structures, texts and principles applicable in an international organization is required; Strong ability to communicate effectively in multicultural environment is essential; Demonstrated ability and initiative, political sensitivity, tact and excellent judgement, including strong analytical skills and ability to interpret rules, policies and procedures is required.

Languages

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential. Knowledge of other official CTBTO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

Competencies

Professionalism - Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from other and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Planning and organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Team work - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings; Accountability - Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; Creativity - Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches; Client orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress and setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients; Commitment to continuous learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve; Technological Awareness - Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.

Duration of contract:

The consultancy assignment is limited to a maximum period of 130 working days days in a twelve-month period determined on a case-by-case call-off basis.

Remuneration

CTBTO offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, see link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm).

Additional Information

All applications must be submitted through the CTBTO e-Recruitment system before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Incomplete applications and submission of employment history in formats other than the CTBTO Employment Information Form will not be considered. The CTBTO Preparatory Commission retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy; to make an appointment at a lower grade in particular if the candidate has less than the qualifications required; to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer a contract term for a shorter duration than indicated in the vacancy announcement. Please note that the CTBTO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list. The CTBTO reserves the right to undertake correspondence only with shortlisted candidates. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process.

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