All applicants must fill in the Online Personal History Form. All applications will receive an automated message confirming receipt of the application. Due to the high number of applications  individual responses by phone or email are not possible. Applicants wishing to know the status of the selection for the job opening may refer to the Jobs Opportunities page for updates. Only applications received within the deadline and with the completed online Personal History form are eligible for further consideration.  Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills at the time of application. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification to applications already submitted will be accepted.

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ORGANISATIONAL SETTING & REPORTING

This position is with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of The International Seabed Authority (ISA) located in Kingston, Jamaica reporting to the Legal Officer and under the overall supervision of the Deputy to the Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1.    Undertake studies and research in the fields of public and private international law, law of the sea and administrative law;
2.    Examine, statutes, rules, agreements or other legal instruments and precedents relating to the activities of ISA;
3.    Provide services to the ISA and its governing bodies  and prepare background materials, reports and papers;
4.    Draft agreements, contracts, internal rules and regulations, opinions, reports and correspondence on issues relating to the activities of the ISA;

Provide advice and assistance on judicial and administrative questions relating to the work of ISA, including the internal system of administration of justice for ISA and UN, publications, workshops and training programmes;

5.    Participate in international conferences and meetings.
6.    Assist in responding to inquiries and correspondence; Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence;
7.    Contribute to the identification of issues and drafting of recommendations and legal submissions, ensuring that they are consistent with interpretation and application of administrative law;
8.    Conduct legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence;
9.    Assist with maintenance of records (electronic and online)
10.    Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:  Knowledge of relevant Regulations and Rules of ISA and related international law, as well as of applicable jurisprudence; Ability to apply legal and administrative expertise to analyzing a diverse range of issues and problems; ability to develop innovative and creative solutions and to litigate employment-related matters; Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matters. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Judgement/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

EDUCATION

1.    Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law or other related areas.
2.    A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
3.    A first-level degree and no experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

WORK EXPERIENCE

1.    A minimum of two (02) years of progressively responsible experience legal experience is required.
2.    Experience in litigating administrative law matters is highly desirable.
3.    Experience in conducting investigations or disciplinary matters in an international organization is also highly desirable.
4.    No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

LANGUAGES

1.    English and French are the working languages of the International Seabed Authority.  For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
2.    Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

Candidates may undergo a substantive and a competency-based interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

OTHER INFORMATION

1.    The selected candidate will be subject to a reference verification process in accordance with the ISA policy. The process will include but is not limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check. All candidates should be in a position to submit electronic copy of their passport and all diplomas listed on their profile when requested;
2.    Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ISA web-site;
3.    Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration;
4.    Consideration is given to achieving diverse gender, geographical and economic representation at the ISA, to the extent possible;
5.    The ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised.

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