Director of Legal Affairs

Vacancy Announcement No: UPU/13/D1/FT-C/19 Title: Director of Legal Affairs Grade: D1 Type of contract Fixed-Term (Core) Appointment Duration:  three years	Publication Date: 7 October 2013 Application Deadline: 17 November 2013 (24 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications   Organizational Unit: Legal Affairs Directorate (DAJ) Duty Station:  Bern Switzerland Scheduled date for taking up appointment:  as soon as possible
Organizational Context: The Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. Under the general guidance of the DG, the incumbent is responsible for a wide range of legal issues (including issues of a complex and/or sensitive nature) related to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU and its bodies, which are carried out largely independently. It involves the direction and coordination of general and specialized legal work, the direction, supervision and review of work of staff at lower levels, and the provision of authoritative and expert advice to management and staff at all levels as well as to the established bodies of the UPU.
Main duties: 1. Acts as the legal advisor to the UPU bodies, meetings and conferences, and provides authoritative and expert advice, interpretation and assistance in resolving procedural and substantive legal enquiries on a wide range of legal issues (including issues of a complex and/or sensitive nature). 2. Provides secretarial support to such meetings, revising working documents, analysing and clarifying legal issues involved. 3. Coordinates, approves and as appropriate, undertakes research and studies and examines legal precedents for issues relating to the functions, structures, activities and sensitive areas of the Organization. 4. Advises the DG and DDG on all legal issues in relation to the functions, structure, legal status and activities of the UPU, including the interpretation, application and amendment of internal legislation such as Staff Rules and Regulations, privileges and immunities of the UPU and its officials and their relationship with governments. 5. Provides and ensures consistency in interpretations of legal instruments such as constitutions, statutes, treaties, agreements, regulations and rules, resolutions or other legal materials relevant to the Organization. 6. Undertakes consultations and participates in negotiations with contractors. 7. Drafts, reviews and/or validates legal instruments, official correspondence, contract templates and other documents of legal significance. Clears the legal aspects of draft letters, agreements and other texts which have been passed to the office for review and comments. 8. Coordinates the preparation of the organic Acts of the Union, i.e., the UPU Constitution, the UPU General Regulations and the rules of procedure of its bodies, as well as any updates thereto. 9. Represents or manages the representation of UPU in proceedings before courts of law, administrative tribunals and other judicial or quasi-juridical bodies. This includes taking responsibility for staff questions and representation of the UPU before administrative bodies and the ILOAT. 10. As authorized by the Director General, represents the UPU in conferences and at meetings of other organizations and bodies. Organizes and/or participates in meetings with senior officers and legal advisers of other organizations on matters of common concern. 11. Participates in internal administrative committees. 12. Serves on various boards, committees and ad hoc task forces, as required. 13. Develops and promotes legal awareness within the International Bureau of the UPU. 14. Resources and team management Oversees administrative matters necessary to the functioning of the Directorate/Unit, including the supervising the preparation of its budget . 15. Team management & organization Leads, manages, directs and empowers staff to ensure optimum utilization of available resources in a positive climate of leadership and teamwork.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education: Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law with a good knowledge of international law, intellectual property, contract law, technology issues and competition.
Experience: Over 10 years' working experience on legal issues
Technical knowledge:  - Good knowledge of public international law, contract law and international commercial agreements. - Good knowledge of international intellectual property law and technology licensing aspects. - Good knowledge of the legal environment of the Internet and domain names. - Good knowledge of UPU Acts and decisions. - Knowledge of the privileges and immunities framework as applied to intergovernmental organizations. - Knowledge of private international law. - Command of drafting techniques for writing legal documents of all sorts, as well as reports and recommendations. - Proficiency in computer skills (notably office productivity and communication tools), information databases, Internet/Intranet services and library sources.
Skills and abilities / competencies: - Ability to defend and explain difficult and sensitive issues to staff, senior officials, member countries. - Excellent diplomatic skills: negotiation, persuasion, dialogue, diplomacy, neutrality. - Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate changes in circumstances, opinions and needs, often at short notice - Decision-making authority; ability to set ambitious but realistic objectives. - Proven organizational skills: management of large projects and events, good planning abilities.
Language skills: Perfect proficiency in English and French. Knowledge of other languages, particularly those used in the United Nations, would be an asset.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) 95394 USD 103204 USD with primary dependants	Post adjustment: 104.9 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
The conditions of service are governed by the Staff Regulations and Rules of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. All applications must be received by the closing date as stated in the vacancy announcement. All applicants employed by postal entities and applying for a vacant position in the Professional (P) or Senior (D) category must be recommended and submitted through the competent postal authority. Applications not satisfying this criterion may not be considered. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Applications from women and member states are particularly encouraged. The UPU promotes diversity and work-life balance.
For further instructions regarding the online application process, please visit the UPU internet page at:http://www.upu.int/en/resources/vacancies