SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER (REGULATORY AFFAIRS), P5

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The International Seabed Authority is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. Pursuant to these instruments, the Authority is the organization through which States Parties organize and control activities in the Area, namely the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, particularly with a view to administering the mineral resources of the Area. The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice and support to the Authority's organs and the Secretariat on matters arising from the interpretation and application of the Convention, the 1994 Agreement and the rules, regulations and procedures adopted by the Authority.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary-General and the direct supervision of the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs/Legal Counsel, and within delegated authority, the Senior Legal Officer (Regulatory Affairs) will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Regulatory development and legal leadership i) Leads and coordinates the development of the Mining Code and associated standards and guidelines, providing expert legal analysis and advice on complex, multidisciplinary and sensitive regulatory matters, including issues involving competing legal interpretations, institutional considerations and policy objectives. ii) Coordinates and directs the work of legal officers and other assigned personnel engaged in regulatory development; establishes priorities, reviews legal work, provides guidance and supervision, and ensures the consistency, quality and timely delivery of assigned outputs. iii) Advises on the legal coherence of proposed regulatory provisions and their relationship to UNCLOS, the 1994 Agreement, applicable decisions of the Authority and other relevant rules and procedures, identifying legal gaps, ambiguities and implementation issues and proposing appropriate solutions. 2. Legal advice, research and analysis i) Provides authoritative legal advice to the Secretary-General, the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs/Legal Counsel, the Council and the Legal and Technical Commission, as appropriate, on complex substantive and procedural questions relating to the development and application of the regulatory framework for activities in the Area, including exploration and exploitation. ii) Conducts and supervises extensive legal research and analysis on complex, novel or sensitive questions of international law, the law of the sea and the law of international organizations relevant to the Authority's regulatory mandate; prepares and reviews legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, memoranda and correspondence, and develops recommendations for consideration by the appropriate decision-making bodies. iii) Advises senior officials and relevant units of the Secretariat on legal and regulatory matters within the incumbent's area of responsibility, including the legal implications of proposed measures and the options available to address identified issues. 3. Management, negotiation and coordination i) Assists the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs/Legal Counsel in the management and administration of the relevant legal work programme, including the planning, prioritization, allocation, coordination and review of assignments, and the monitoring of progress against agreed priorities and deadlines. ii) Advises on and supervises the review, negotiation and drafting of complex contracts and other legal instruments related to the regulatory work programme, including agreements with consultants, experts and researchers; identifies appropriate legal and institutional arrangements and develops solutions to address novel legal requirements and operational circumstances. iii) Coordinates, as appropriate, with relevant offices and units of the Secretariat, Member States, experts and other stakeholders to facilitate the effective preparation, review and implementation of regulatory proposals, ensuring that legal considerations are appropriately reflected in the relevant processes. 4. Support to intergovernmental and technical bodies i) Services meetings of the Council, the Legal and Technical Commission and relevant intersessional working groups, expert groups, task forces and other subsidiary or ad hoc bodies, as assigned; prepares and reviews legal and background materials, analytical summaries of issues and positions expressed by delegations, draft texts, road maps, meeting reports and other documentation required to facilitate deliberations. ii) Provides legal and procedural guidance during relevant meetings and negotiations, as appropriate, and advises on drafting options, outstanding legal questions and possible approaches to resolving differences, while respecting the respective mandates and decision-making authority of the bodies concerned. 5. Representation, reporting and other duties i) Represents the Office of Legal Affairs and, as authorized, the Authority at meetings, conferences, seminars and other relevant fora; contributes to the presentation and dissemination of the Authority's work on regulatory affairs and prepares substantive written and oral briefings for senior officials. ii) Prepares and reviews reports, recommendations and other submissions for senior management and the relevant organs of the Authority on progress, emerging legal issues, risks and priorities relating to the development of the Mining Code and associated standards and guidelines. iii) Performs other duties within the scope of the post, as requested by the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs/Legal Counsel or the Secretary-General.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to be a strong advocate for science-based policy and knowledge of the implications of legal, economic and policy decisions on the scientific and technical aspects and vice-versa. Demonstrated ability to work at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines and connect across seemingly disparate fields, as well as a good capacity for synthesis. Strong programme management skills with the capability to advise the Secretary-General and other senior officials on approaches and techniques to address highly complex issues relating to activities in the Area. Excellent policy analysis skills and the ability to produce reports and papers on scientific and technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Knowledge and ability to apply ISA rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations. 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 situation; 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, vision, and programmes. Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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. 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 his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A specialization in international law, the law of the sea or the law of international organizations is desirable. A first-level university degree in law, in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admission to the bar of a Member State of the International Seabed Authority, or other qualification to practise law, is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

+ A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law is required. + Experience in the provision of legal advice within the legal office of an international organization or a government is desirable. + Experience in the development, review or drafting of regulatory instruments, including international regulatory instruments, is desirable. + Experience in international law, particularly the law of the sea, the law of international organizations or international administrative law, is desirable. + Experience in preparing and delivering substantive written and oral legal advice, briefings or presentations to senior officials, intergovernmental bodies or other relevant audiences is desirable. + Experience in liaising and working with Member States, governmental authorities, corporate entities, United Nations entities or other international organizations on legal, regulatory or institutional matters is desirable. + Experience in leading or coordinating multidisciplinary teams or complex legal work programmes is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice • The position is temporarily available until 23 May 2027. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the International Seabed Authority, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Only candidates from ISA Member States are eligible for consideration. • The International Seabed Authority Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • At the International Seabed Authority, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.