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Senior Legal Expert

Bern

  • Organization: UPU - Universal Postal Union
  • Location: Bern
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Legal - International Law
  • Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/23/P4/FT-C/410
 
Title: Senior Legal Expert
 
Grade: P4
 
Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) Appointment
 
Duration:  Three years
 
Publication Date: 10 May 2023
 
Application Deadline: 20 June 2023
(40 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications
 
Organizational Unit: Legal Affairs Directorate (DAJ)
 
Duty Station:  Bern Switzerland
 
Scheduled date for taking up appointment:  As soon as possible
 
Organizational Context:
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
Main duties:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs, the incumbent shall handle a wide range of multi-disciplinary and complex legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU, with emphasis on public international law, international administrative law and administration of justice, as well as legal issues associated with intellectual property and information and communications technology.

1. Undertake extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence on legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU.
2. Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, including without limitation administration and management; procurement; and various other operational and technical matters for a wide range of stakeholders, including without limitation the Executive Management and other UPU International Bureau Directorates, internal committees and other bodies, UPU governing bodies, member countries, their designated operators and other relevant postal sector stakeholders.
3. Reviews, advises on and drafts complex legal instruments for various institutional and operational purposes (including without limitation supply-related contracts, cooperation agreements, letters of intent and memoranda of understanding);
4. Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of legal instruments relevant to the work of the UPU (including without limitation the Acts of the UPU, other international treaties and domestic statutes, governing body resolutions, agreements and internal UPU regulations and rules).
5. Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of UPU staff regulations and rules, administrative instructions and other internal rules, including the review of administrative decisions; preparation and review of draft amendments to the aforementioned rules, as well as overall consistency checks with existing staff regulations and rules, administrative instructions and other internal rules).
6. Provide advice and assistance in resolving procedural and substantive legal questions at meetings.
7. Provide and/or coordinate secretariat services for various committees and bodies handling legal issues falling within the competence of the UPU, including without limitation:
a) Preparing relevant background materials, reports and associated documentation;
b) Preparing and formulating legal advice for members and secretariats of such bodies;
c) Summarizing member countries' views and practices on particular legal issues;
d) Drafting legal instruments (such as draft treaties, agreements, internal regulations and rules, and other legislative materials pertaining to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU.
8. Consult with counterparts in other international organizations; participate in negotiations with external stakeholders, such as external contractors and representatives of UPU member countries, their designated operators or other relevant postal stakeholders.
9. Review the legal aspects of draft agreements, correspondence and other texts which are relevant to the functions of the DAJ or have been passed to it for comments or clearance.
10. Prepare legal submissions/motions on behalf of and represent the UPU in the course of proceedings (including, but not limited to, disciplinary cases and staff appeals) before the competent internal appeals bodies and administrative tribunals (including the UPU Appeals Committee and the United Nations Administrative Tribunal - UNAT), and any other relevant judicial or quasi-judicial bodies.
11. Represent the UPU at relevant meetings, conferences and seminars.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education:
Advanced university degree in law (Master's degree or equivalent) is required. A specialization in public international law or international administrative law is desirable.
Experience:
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in an international legal environment. (Experience at the international level within the United Nations common system or similar international organizations, law firms or governments is desirable.)
Technical knowledge:
1. Expert knowledge of public international law and international administrative law (particularly in what pertains to the United Nations Common System).
2. Working knowledge of international legal issues associated with intellectual property and information and communication technology.
3. Expert knowledge of contract law and international commercial agreements.
4. Expert knowledge of the framework on privileges and immunities as applied to intergovernmental organizations (with emphasis on the specialized agencies of the United Nations).
5. Excellent analytical and legal drafting skills.
Skills and abilities / competencies:
1. Ability to defend and explain complex and sensitive legal issues to staff members (including senior officials), representatives of UPU member countries and other relevant postal stakeholders, as well as counterparts in the United Nations Common System and other intergovernmental organizations.
2. Strong analytical, logical and conceptual thinking skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature.
3. Excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills.
4. Strong negotiation skills and a heightened sense of impartiality and objectivity.
5. Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to adapt to and accommodate changes in circumstances, opinions and priorities, including at short notice.
6. Strong planning and organizational skills with regard to the management of complex legal projects, attention to detail.
7. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals, solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
9. Strong ethical awareness.
Language skills:
Proficiency in French or English, and strong working knowledge of the other language.

Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an asset.
Additional Information:
French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau.
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Priority shall be given for an internal promotion.
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The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence.
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Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year).
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Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process.
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The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
77 326 USD
Post adjustment: 81.6 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form.
All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement.

All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior (D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority.
Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged.

The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.

For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:
...
Currently accepting applications

 
 
The UPU has a smoke-free environment


 
 
The UPU has a smoke-free environment


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