Legal Officer

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Provides legal advice and counsel to PAHO’s Governing Bodies, Executive Management, PAHO/WHO Representatives (PWRs), PAHO Centers, Country Offices, and PASB Headquarters entities on all legal matters, including the application of national and international law to the Organization’s programs and activities, as well as constitutional, administrative, and procedural matters. Drafts, reviews, and/or negotiates contracts, treaties, agreements, resolutions, and any other type of instrument with legal implications for the Organization. Represents and defends the Organization before the internal appeals process as well as the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization and other international or national judicial and quasi-judicial fora, as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Counsel (LEG) and the direct supervision of the Legal Officer, Office of the Legal Counsel (LEG), the incumbent is responsible for providing a wide range of expert legal services, support, counseling and advice with respect to the interpretation of existing jurisprudence, regulations and procedures in Brazil; the analysis, negotiation, and drafting of technical cooperation contracts and agreements; the preparation of briefs; and interpretation of legal instruments. The incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Review and draft agreements ensuring that all documents conform to the Organization’s regulations, rules and procedures and comply with the Organization’s internal clearance process;

b) Review and draft legal memoranda and other legal documents including contracts, ensuring that the same conform to the Organization’s rules, policies and procedures;

c) Review the legal aspects of project proposals, draft agreements, correspondence, and other texts and provide appropriate comments ensuring compliance with the Project and Agreement Review processes;

d) Assist in providing legal support to administrative units in the Country Office, and other Organizational entities in legal administrative matters as requested;

e) Research and/or examine precedents on specific issues relating to the functions, structure, and activities of the Organization;

f) Prepare draft legal opinions on the interpretation of legal instruments such as constitutions, statutes, treaties, agreements, rules and regulations, resolutions, legislation or other legal materials relevant to the work of the Organization;

g) Assist in the development of revised/new rules, policies, procedures, and model agreements and contracts of the Organization;

h) Assist in the preparation of briefs to represent the Organization in proceedings before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies;

i) Assist in providing and/or coordinating legal services to various internal committees and to the different Departments and Units, as required; prepare background materials, reports and papers, and assist in the formulation of advice to members of such committees and to the administrative and technical units;

j) Assist in the development of procedures for the preparation and processing of agreements and contracts;

k) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in law from a recognized university; admission to practice in one of the States of Brazil (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil – OAB).

Desirable: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or higher) in law with studies in comparative and/or international law from a recognized university.

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, only considers official degrees obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a 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:http://www.whed.net/.PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/ and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Seven years of legal experience with emphasis in public international law, contracts, administrative law, technical cooperation agreements or comparative law.

Desirable: International legal experience in the areas above.

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/Deal effectively with conflict – Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

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/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge – Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results/Take responsibility – Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. 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 – Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

–Expertise in the application of the principles of international and national law to the analysis of administrative, substantive and procedural aspects of the Organization.

–Sound knowledge with the basic aims, operational and administrative policies and procedures of public international organizations, as well as governmental and nonprofit organizations.

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

–Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiating skills.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Portuguese, with a working knowledge of English and Spanish. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

BRA R/358,538.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

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

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.

PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates must hold a permanent local working visa (citizenship or permanent resident card) of Brazil.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.The post description is the official documentation for organizational purposes.