Legal Officer, IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme Lead(P4)

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

Organizational Setting

The Office of Legal Affairs, which reports directly to the Director General, provides legal services of the highest possible standards to the Director General, the Secretariat and to the organs and bodies of the IAEA, as well as to Member States, regarding the implementation of the IAEA's activities.
The Nuclear and Treaty Law Section provides legal advice and support to the Director General’s Office and the Secretariat in the areas of nuclear safety, security and liability, as well as nuclear energy, nuclear applications and technical cooperation. It is also responsible for the IAEA's depositary function as well as the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme, providing advice and training to Member States on legal frameworks governing the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Section Head, the Legal Officer, IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme Lead, contributes specialised nuclear law knowledge and experience and project management experience to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the activities within the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme covering all branches of international and national nuclear law and all geographic regions, including as Technical Officer, the design and implementation of the relevant Technical Cooperation Projects. S/he liaises with internal and external stakeholders including Member State officials and prioritises legislative assistance activities based on identified needs. The incumbent prepares legal opinions and advice and analyses legal instruments and documents in all areas of nuclear law. Also, s/he prepares and reviews advice for Member States on the implementation of the relevant international legal instruments, safety standards and nuclear security guidance. The incumbent assists Member States in drafting corresponding national legislation and in adhering to and implementing the relevant international instruments. Finally, in consultation with the Section Head, coordinates and supervises the legislative assistance work of the Section by prioritising and assigning tasks to other Legal Officers and staff, as well as providing input and guidance to ensure quality and consistency and to support timely delivery of work products.

Role

The Legal Officer, IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme Lead, is a subject matter expert and an active member of a team of eight lawyers and four support staff within the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section and provides high quality professional input in developing further and implementing OLA's projects in all areas of nuclear law and the IAEA's Legislative Assistance Programme.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Plan, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate activities within the framework of the IAEA's Legislative Assistance Programme and in light of other Agency assistance activities to ensure the efficient and effective management of the assigned resources.
Draft advice related to the application, interpretation and implementation of international legal instruments adopted by and under IAEA auspices, in particular in the areas of nuclear safety, security and civil liability for nuclear damage, as well as safety standards and nuclear security guidance.
As a substantive contributor, prepare advice to Member States regarding their respective national nuclear legislation within the Legislative Assistance Programme.
Develop and implement legislative assistance work-plans in cooperation with Member States officials, based on a needs assessment.
Prepare studies, briefs, correspondence and recommendations on the aforementioned topics for the Head of Section and Director.
Organise and participate in nuclear law seminars, workshops and training courses including the annual Nuclear Law Institute.
Represent OLA and deliver advice and key lectures during IAEA's missions and other events including those to promote adherence to and implementation of international nuclear legal instruments adopted under IAEA auspices.
Lead, train and mentor other staff in providing legislative assistance, in particular, in the review of national nuclear legislation.
Lead and participate in projects to support the implementation and strengthening of the Section’s work and the Legislative Assistance Programme.
Assume other duties as determined by the Head of Section.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition CommunicationCommunicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. Achieving ResultsTakes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. Planning and OrganizingPlans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition Analytical thinkingAnalyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. Judgement/decision makingConsults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards. Technical/scientific credibilityEnsures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description LegalInternational LawKnowledge of the broad principles of public international law. LegalLegal DraftsAbility to draft clear, concise documents setting out facts and arguments in an accurate manner. LegalPolicy DevelopmentAbility to support policy development within the scope of the relevant legal framework.

Asset Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description LegalAgency's Statute, Rules of Procedures, Regulations, Practices and PrecedentsKnowledge of and ability to analyse and apply the IAEA Statute, Rules of Procedure, Regulations, Practices and Precedent.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Higher Degree (e.g. Juris Doctor) or Advanced Law Degree required, admitted to practice in a national bar or equivalent.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience, including several years at the international level.
• Proven ability to prepare legal drafts and review national nuclear legislation.
• Solid experience in the interpretation and application of international legal instruments; with an emphasis on those in the nuclear field.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $86027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 46627*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions

General Information

• The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
• The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
• Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
• The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
• Staff members may be assigned to any location.
• Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
• The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.