Senior Legal Officer

WHO; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 120.000 - 180.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The World Health Organization (WHO) Office of the Legal Counsel seeks a senior international lawyer to provide authoritative legal advice and services to support the agency’s global health mission. The role focuses on international administrative law, personnel matters, and internal justice issues, with responsibilities spanning advocacy before international tribunals and cross-department collaboration.

Ideal candidates hold an advanced law degree, bar qualification, and at least ten years of

Qualifikationen

• Advanced degree in law required.
• Bar qualification or equivalent desirable.
• Ten years of legal experience, with at least seven in an international organization or government.
• Experience in public international law and international administrative law.
• Ability to communicate legal matters clearly to non-lawyers.

Aufgaben

• Provide high-quality legal advice on international administrative law and personnel matters.
• Advise on privileges and immunities, host country agreements, and related negotiations.
• Represent WHO before ILOAT and other international bodies; prepare submissions.
• Supervise junior staff and coordinate work within the legal department.
• Act as officer-in-charge when required and perform other legal duties.

Kenntnisse

International administrative law

Public international law

Legal drafting

Litigation experience

Communication to non-lawyers

Ausbildung

Advanced law degree (Master's level)

Bar qualification or equivalent desirable

Jobbeschreibung

Organizational context: The World Health Organization (WHO) Office of the Legal Counsel provides independent legal advice and services to support the organization's global public health mission. This role is situated within the Legal Counsel's office, contributing to the protection of WHO's resources, reputation, and integrity by ensuring activities are legally sound and interests are defended.

Job purpose: The purpose of this role is to provide authoritative and practical legal advice and services to enable WHO to effectively implement its global public health mission. This involves ensuring all organizational activities are conducted on a firm legal basis, facilitating cooperation with member states and international bodies, and safeguarding WHO's resources, reputation, and integrity. The role contributes to protecting the organization from legal action and ensuring compliance with its mandate and international standards, thereby supporting the achievement of global health objectives.

Responsibilities: Provide high-quality legal advice on international administrative law, personnel matters, and internal justice issues, ensuring compliance with WHO regulations and ILOAT jurisprudence. Advise on privileges and immunities, host country agreements, and related negotiations. Represent WHO, IARC, UNAIDS, and UNICC before the ILOAT, preparing comprehensive legal submissions and staying updated on relevant jurisprudence. Represent the Office of the Legal Counsel on internal committees. Protect WHO's legal interests in areas such as partnerships, use of its name and emblem, and general international organizational legal matters. Advise on legal frameworks for WHO governing bodies. Supervise junior staff and coordinate work within the legal department and across the organization. Act as officer-in-charge when required and perform other legal duties as necessary.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in law is essential. A professional legal qualification, such as passing a national bar exam, or experience conducting litigation as an advocate is desirable.

Work experience: Essential: Extensive experience in public international law, particularly international administrative law. Ten years of legal experience, with at least seven years in an international organization or government. Demonstrated international experience, including work in an international context or abroad. Proven ability to communicate legal matters clearly to non-lawyers. Practical litigation experience. Desirable: Experience within the UN system and advising on a broad range of international organization legal issues.

Skills: Expertise in international administrative law and the law of the international civil service, including administrative tribunal jurisprudence. Strong analytical and organizational skills for assessing facts, legal, and policy considerations. Excellent communication and drafting skills in English, with proficiency in French being desirable. Ability to present complex legal ideas clearly and persuasively. Sound judgment for risk evaluation and protection of organizational interests. Strong interpersonal skills.

Required languages:

Desired languages: