Legal Officer

Purpose of the Post:

Under the direction of the Director, Business Operations, and in close consultation with the Office of the Legal Counsel, the incumbent provides legal advice to management and staff on a broad range of subjects related to the work of the Organization in the European Region.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective:

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information & communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under the direction of the Director, Business Operations, and in close consultation with the Office of the Legal Counsel, the incumbent provides legal advice to management and staff on a broad range of subjects related to the work of the Organization in the European Region.

Key duties:

• Formulates clear legal opinions and options for the Management in WHO/Europe that maintain and strengthen the trust that the Member States, the public, and key partners have in the Organization.
• Performs legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, agreements, and correspondence on the following matters:

Legal issues arising from interaction between WHO/Europe and its Member States as well as intergovernmental organizations, and host States in relation to country offices and centres. These issues include questions relating to privileges and immunities as well as the negotiation, drafting, revision, implementation and interpretation of Basic and Host Agreements with Member States of the European Region.

Legal matters in the management of WHO personnel, ranging from recruitment to termination, as well as conduct and disciplinary matters. This includes the handling of complex, contentious or sensitive cases to mitigate reputational risks and loss of funds.

Legal issues relating to administrative questions, the legal acceptability or appropriateness of various proposed activities of the Organization or of its staff as part of their official functions, co-sponsorship of meetings, use of WHO logo, publications and other general questions of a legal or quasi-legal nature.

Legal issues relating to relations and negotiations with industry, including:

Intellectual property rights and confidentiality of data, negotiation of licensing agreements, publication agreements, software and development contracts, IT contracts;

Collaboration and donation agreements with commercial enterprises and fundraising arrangements with the private sector;

Procurement of supplies, Agreements for the Performance of Work, and similar contractual relationships;

Co-sponsorship of meetings for which commercial involvement is an issue;

Contracts related to funding and cooperation agreements with governments, funding agencies and non-government organizations, including related project documents;

• Provide legal advice and opinions at meetings, relying on own judgement to determine when consultations at a higher level would be required. Upon request, represent the Regional Director or Director of Business Operations on global and regional committees or meetings.
• Serve as Regional Director’s representative to the Contract Review Committee.
• Advises on the general protection of the Organization’s legal interests and consults when required with specialized senior legal officer on new or highly complex or highly sensitive matters.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Knowing and managing yourself
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of the general principles of law and of WHO Basic Documents, including Staff Rules and Regulations and eManual;
• Solid knowledge of private law, in particular commercial law, as well as knowledge of international law as well as understanding of public international law and the law of international organizations;
• Ability to present sound and well-reasoned legal arguments;
• Ability to draft letters and agreements in a wide range of areas;
• Knowledge of WHO appeals process.
• Emotional awareness; the ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in law.

Desirable: Specialization in public and international law.

Experience:

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in practicing law, within the legal department of a government, an international organization or company, or within a law firm.

Desirable: At least two years relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian or German.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1501 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.