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.
The Office of the Legal Adviser (LAO) provides legal advice, upon request, on the implementation and interpretation of the CWC, OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules, OPCW Financial Regulations and Rules, administrative directives, privileges and immunities, facility agreements, relationship agreements with other international organisations, technical cooperation, procurement of goods and services, credential issues, etc.; negotiates privileges and immunities agreements with Member States; supports the Director-General and the Technical Secretariat on other internal matters; delivers presentations on the CWC and legal activities of the Technical Secretariat to relevant meetings organised by other intergovernmental organisations, to the general public, academics, and others; represent the OPCW in meetings of UN system legal advisers and other legal fora; represents the OPCW in cases before the International Labour Organisation Administrative Tribunal; supports Member States and policy-making organs on general legal matters.
As a Legal Officer, you will contribute to the Organisation’s legal work by preparing legal opinions on the interpretation and application of the Convention and related decisions of the policy-making organs. You will support the organisation and conduct of these meetings, including advising on procedural matters. Additionally, you will be responsible for legal aspects of international agreements, commercial and service contracts, and issues concerning the Organisation’s administrative law.
Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser, the Principal Legal Officer, Senior Legal Officer, and/or a Legal Officer:
Legal aspects of the CWC:
International agreements concluded by the Organisation:
Assists in the drafting, review, interpretation, and negotiation of different forms of agreement to be entered into by the Technical Secretariat, including bilateral agreements with States Parties such as voluntary contribution agreements and agreements concerning the Privileges and Immunities of the Organisation entered into pursuant to Article VIII of the CWC, including the Organisation’s Headquarters Agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands;Contracts: Commercial and service matters:
Reviews and drafts contracts for the purchase of goods and/or services to be concluded between OPCW and its vendors (insurance policies, license agreements, maintenance contracts, lease agreements).Assists in the drafting of legal advice on procurement matters.Administrative law of the Organisation:
Drafts legal memoranda and legal opinions on the interpretation of internal rules and procedures, such as the Financial Regulations and Rules, the Staff Regulations and Rules, relevant decisions of the Policy-Making Organs and other internal legislation ; and assists in preparing legal advice and drafting submissions on cases in the internal justice system and before the ILOAT;Provides legal advice in relation to the confidentiality regime of the OPCW;Reviews or drafts administrative directives information circulars, and other internal legislative instruments.Assists in preparing legal advice on matters pertaining to the protection of personal data; supports the performance of the Data Protection function situated in the Office of the Legal Adviser.General:
Conducts research and provides general legal advice as necessary on diverse legal issues;Drafts reports and correspondence of a legal nature, as required;Represents the Legal Adviser, and/or serves as a member upon appointment by the Director-General, on various internal advisory bodies, such as the Committee on Contracts and the Advisory Board on Compensation Claims; and provides, as requested, legal advice to such bodies;Supports/provides legal input to general administrative and operational activities of the Office of the Legal Adviser, as required.Supervises and provides guidance to interns; manages intern recruitment, as required; may supervise individuals employed on (SSA).Performs other duties as required.Essential:
Advanced University degree in Law. A first level university degree in law in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Essential:
At least two years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in an international organisation, government department, law firm, or similar environment – with a focus on international, disarmament, administrative, and/or commercial legal matters. A first university degree in Law with four years of progressively responsible experience focusing on the above mentioned areas may be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Desirable:
Experience providing in-house counsel services in International Organisations, including in the UN Common System.
Skills and Abilities (key competencies):
Excellent communication skills – both written and oral; and good negotiation skills;Excellent legal drafting skills;Strong analytical skills and proficiency in legal research;Strong planning and organisational skills and ability to work under pressure of time and urgent deadlines;Flexibility and problem solving skills;Discretion, tact, accuracy, and ability to work as a team with other colleagues;Good computer skills;Cultural sensitivity, and ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural work environment.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is essential, and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) or Dutch 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.
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.
According to article 8 paragraph 44 of the Chemical Weapons Convention the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
OPCW is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. OPCW recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
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’.