JOB DESCRIPTION

Special Notice:

The ICAO Assembly recently reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing gender equality and the advancement of women by supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for ICAO positions, especially in the Professional and higher level categories.

                                          ICAO Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau (LEB) provides advice and assistance on legal and external relations matters generally and in support of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives, to the ICAO Member States, the Governing Bodies, the President of the Council, the Secretary General, and other ICAO Bureaus, Offices and Regional Offices. With regard to legal matters, the Bureau is responsible for: the provision of legal advice to the Governing Bodies and the Secretariat on any issue of law, in particular on international law and air law; the general development of air law; the review of all agreements and contracts; and the performance of the treaty depositary functions of the Organization. With regard to external relations matters, the Bureau is responsible for: maintaining close and harmonious working relations with Member States; serving as focal point for the Organization’s relations with the Host Government; carrying out liaison and protocol functions; and monitoring and providing policy guidance and advice on current political events which might affect ICAO.

The incumbent Legal Officer provides legal support across multiple LEB workstreams, primarily working under the general guidance of the Deputy Director (DD/LEB) and the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer who is the focal point for LEB-CDI (Capacity Development and Implementation) matters. The incumbent will also work under the supervision of the Legal Officer, who is designated as Representative of the Secretary General for the resolution and adjudication of staff member appeals (Head, Appeals Unit). The incumbent is expected to perform tasks independently, which necessitates initiative and effective time management.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which include those related to ICAO’s operational activities, particularly the Capacity Development and Implementation (CDI) Program, procurement, contracts, and other matters, achieving results such as:

Draft, review and provide legal advice on agreements to ensure they serve ICAO’s interests and adhere to international business standards.
Assist in determining appropriate frameworks on issues such as strategic alliances, structuring of public-private partnerships and industry collaborations.
Assist in providing legal advice on risk management and technical assistance related collaboration frameworks.
Review and provide legal advice on submissions to the Contracts Board in coordination with the Senior Legal Officer.
Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

Conducts legal research and analysis and assists with the preparation of studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence on various legal topics in international law, including diplomatic and consular relations, intellectual property law, information technology law, litigation, and dispute resolution, achieving results such as:

Conduct specialized research projects in diverse areas of law; collect, analyze, and synthesize relevant data, practices, procedures and usages, including Member States’ and comparator organization’s views and practices on particular issues relevant to the legal work of the Organization.
Assist in the development of working papers on legal subjects for the Assembly, Council, Legal Committee, and other representative bodies of the Organization.
Assist in the provision of Secretariat services for various standing boards, committees, ad-hoc working groups and task forces, as required.
Provide written legal opinions on the subject matters including those related to artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property rights.
Explore legal remedies available under intellectual property laws to protect ICAO’s copyright material.
In cases of infringement of copyright, assess the extent and potential impact on ICAO’s intellectual property rights.
Advise on legal aspects related to the implications of data privacy and protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Creates opportunities for developing new client relationships, achieving results such as:

Address business critical issues to identify implementation efficiencies while strengthening internal controls and risk mitigation.
Contribute to cross-functional initiatives to ensure that internal policies and goals are aligned with the overall regulatory framework.
Keep abreast of internal and external developments and best practices and assist with providing recommendations to stakeholders while promoting knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Formulates, reviews, and advises on operational modalities, contracts, agreements and arrangements with industry, institutions, and other third parties, achieving results such as:

Review and provide advice on agreements and arrangements to which the Organization is to be a party; assist with the creation of tailored solutions and template legal documents for utilization in procurements, revenue generating activities, field operations and other areas of activity in the Organization.
Assist in the recommendation of suitable legal frameworks and procedural implementation structures for projects and revenue-generating activities, including required risk mitigation and risk management measures.
Provide client–oriented guidance on procedural, financial and institutional arrangements required to support activities while safeguarding organizational interests and procedural propriety.
Assist in the representation of the Organization in the conduct of negotiations on matters involving States, contractors and other parties and participate in meetings as required, addressing AI and intellectual property concerns as necessary.
Provide legal advice on agreements and negotiations involving licensing, partnerships, alliances, and revenue generation.
Prepare cease and desist notices to individuals or entities with regard to infringing on ICAO’s intellectual property rights.
Assist senior officers in relation to arbitration and litigation proceedings, including UNCITRAL Arbitration matters, in which ICAO is implicated.
Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Provides legal advice and services in the area of international law and handles multi-disciplinary legal matters involving issues of private and comparative international law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in the area of concentration, achieving results such as:

Formulate legal opinions or legal memoranda on questions concerning the interpretation or application of foundational regulatory instruments of the Organization.
Assist in the preparation of appropriate responses to correspondence from States raising legal issues or having legal implications as well as inter-office memoranda and other requests for legal advice received from other Bureaus/Offices.
Provide legal advice in negotiations and resolution of problems and provide support to senior staff regarding litigation, settlement and resolution of claims directed against or involving the Organization.
Provide legal advice and participate in various internal working groups, advisory committees, and meetings of a legal nature.
Function 6 (incl. Expected results)

Supports the Appeals Unit in providing legal advice in connection with a wide range of complex and straightforward personnel disputes and misconduct matters and a wide range of legal issues pertaining to personnel matters, achieving results such as:

Represent ICAO before formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms (ombudsman proceedings, ICAO Appeals Board and/or the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) proceedings (including hearings), appeals before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), and arbitration proceedings pertaining to personnel disputes.
Assist with providing legal advice and assistance in connection with personnel and dispute law practice matters, as needed.
Support the application, interpretation, adoption and development of organizational regulations, rules, policies, guidelines and best practices of ICAO.
Support regular reporting in the Appeals Unit’s databases and trackers, including maintaining overviews and databases of disputes handled by the Appeals Unit for audit and record keeping purposes and managing dispute deadlines.
Contribute to legal knowledge and information management within the Appeals Unit and across the organization.
Support in maintaining and actively sharing knowledge and information about personnel law matters and other related legal matters within LEB so that it can be easily disseminated to relevant stakeholders throughout the Organization.
Keep abreast of internal and external developments and best practices.
Develop and provide training on personnel law matters.
Function 7 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

An advanced level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law (Bachelor’s degree or academic equivalent) from an accredited university in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Professional experience

Essential 

A minimum of five (5) years of professional legal experience, defined as experience as a lawyer/counsel in one or more relevant areas of practice, including legal analysis, legal advice, legal research and drafting of legal texts.
Experience in drafting pleadings, motions and/or appeal briefs, and in appearing and leading the evidence of witnesses before a court or tribunal or equivalent administrative board or body.
Experience in working with the status and privileges and immunities of international organizations.
Experience in the legal work of an international organization or national-level government agency at the headquarters level.

Desirable

Legal experience with the broad range of legal activities of UN system organizations, including such matters as the development of international law; the conduct of multilateral or multi-stakeholder negotiations; the legal aspects of task forces, working groups, study groups, committees, and other like bodies in the international context; and legal support to field projects, procurement activities and revenue-generating activities.
Experience with the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or a similar international organization.
Experience with commercial law, intellectual property law, data privacy law, in the context of an international organization.
Prior completion of the ILO Successfully Managing Employment Disputes in International Organizations course or equivalent international level labour law training.
Satisfaction of the requirements for admission to practice law in a national jurisdiction of an ICAO Member States (Bar admission).

Languages

Essential

Fluent reading, writing, and speaking abilities in English and Spanish.

Desirable

A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian).

 

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Sound analytical and legal drafting skills, including proven expertise in the development and legal administration of commercial and/or project assistance related foundational documents. Some knowledge of the aviation industry and related activities. Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to direct legal dialogue in a negotiation framework. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for her/his own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
It should be noted that this post is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for an initial period of 3 years (first year is probationary for an external candidate).

ICAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Secretary General and may be assigned to any activities or offices of the Organization, in accordance with the provisions of the ICAO service code.

ICAO staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants. In this connection, ICAO has incorporated the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service into the ICAO Personnel Instructions.

ICAO offers an attractive benefit package to its employees in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

Remuneration:  Level                               Net Base Salary                      +                            Post Adjustment(net)
  P-3                                per annum                                                            per annum(*)
 USD $70,212                                                          USD $23,170
(*) Post Adjustment is subject to change.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit: ICAO Careers website.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES
ICAO does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the selection process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICAO are fraudulent and should be disregarded.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements