Legal Specialist

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Legal Counsel (LEG), and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor (LEG), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1.Prepare draft legal opinions in response to queries raised by Country, Subregional, and Regional entities as well as Centers, following general instructions given by supervisor;

2.Provide legal and policy support to administrative areas, including the Areas of Human Resources Management (HRM), General Services Operations (GSO), and Procurement and Supply Management (PRO), and/or other offices on legal administrative matters as requested;

3.Draft legal memoranda and other legal documents including administrative contracts and agreements such as contracts of engagement of personnel, consultants and contracts awarded for the procurement of goods or services;

4.Assist in the preparation of briefs to represent the Organization in proceedings before appeal bodies and administrative tribunals as well as other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies;

5.Conduct due diligence and risk assessment reviews of non-State actors in connection with proposed engagements with PAHO for review by supervisor;

6.Perform preliminary review of the legal aspects of project proposals, draft agreements, correspondence and other texts and provide appropriate comments to supervisor;

7.Draft or assist in the drafting of Technical Cooperation Agreements and other legal documents to which the Organization is a party for the final review by supervisor;

8.Provide legal and policy support to PAHO’s technical cooperation programs, the Regional Revolving Fund for Strategic Public Health Supplies and Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines;

9.Prepare and follow up on filings before national entities to establish, maintain, and protect the intellectual property and other legal commercial rights of the Organization;

10.Assist in the selection and analysis of relevant international and national legal materials for the preparation of reports or legal opinions;

11.Prepare background materials, reports, papers and other documents as requested by supervisor;

12.Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Essential: A university degree in law or in any other discipline related to the functions of the post from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Advanced law degree in any of the areas that relate to the functions of the post, and/or admission to practice law in a PAHO Member State would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position.PAHO, considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:

World Higher Education Database (WHED), list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The list can be accessed through the link:

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, college navigator to support the validation process.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit:

Experience :

Essential: Five years of combined national and international law experience, preferably in contracts, torts, mercantile, intellectual property and/or administrative law.

Desirable: Experience working in a UN common system organization, or other international public organization would be an asset.

SKILLS :

PAHO Competencies:

· Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

· Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity -Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.

· Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (, power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

· Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.

· Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

· Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change.

Technical Expertise:

·Theoretical knowledge of civil or common law, in particular the application of legal principles, concepts and policies to the review, examination and processing of a range of legal issues and documents.

·Ability to conduct legal research on a range of complex and intricate issues and to translate the result into practical solutions.

·Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiating skills.

·Proven ability to review and provide comments on laws, regulations and policy documents for technical assistance purposes.

·Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would

be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, in particular spreadsheets and presentations, as well as

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs

such as Visio and Project would be an asset.