The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
The Directorate for Legal Affairs (LEG) is a small and highly integrated team that provides advice and information on the legal, institutional and procedural aspects of the Organisation’s activities. The Directorate serves as coordinator of the discussions with candidate countries for OECD membership, which involves acting as interlocutor for the candidate countries, OECD Members and the different parts of the Secretariat. It also involves supporting the review by OECD committees of the candidate countries’ alignment with some 250 OECD legal instruments as well as their evaluation of the candidate countries’ policies and practices.
Further to the decision of the OECD Council of 25 January 2022 on the opening of accession discussions and subject to the adoption by the OECD Council of Accession Roadmaps and the availability of the associated funding, we are looking to constitute the accession coordination team. In this context, we are looking to recruit Legal Advisors whose work will focus on assisting in the coordination of accession discussions with Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru and Romania. The successful candidates, who will work under the supervision of Senior Legal Advisors, will need to be adept at legal analysis and drafting while also possessing excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. S/he will thrive on multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate good political and diplomatic sensitivity.
Main Responsibilities
Legal Work on Accession
Provide legal and procedural advice and support to substantive Directorates in preparing the accession reviews of the candidate countries and participate as appropriate in the discussions of relevant OECD Committees.
Carry out research and provide legal advice on the interpretation of the OECD legal instruments against which candidate countries are evaluated
Prepare reports and provide legal advice to the OECD governing bodies on the status of the accession discussions.
Assist in the negotiation of an agreement with the candidate country on the privileges and immunities of the Organisation.
Assist in liaising and providing legal and procedural advice to the candidate countries on the accession process.
Accession Coordination
Prepare briefing materials and analysis on the status of the accession process for the Secretary-General and other senior officials.
Facilitate the liaison between the candidate countries, the Secretariat and the Member countries and actively contribute to the organisation of the Secretariat’s visits to candidate countries and of senior officials of the candidate countries to the OECD.
Develop guidance for substantive Directorates on legal and procedural issues and contribute to the organisation of regular inter-directorate meetings to facilitate internal coordination.
Keep track of developments in the accession process and ensure the appropriate flow of information amongst the various Directorates.
Assist, as necessary, in any other work that may be required as part of the coordination of the accession process.
Other Duties
Provide guidance and oversee work of more junior members of the team, and contribute to their training as appropriate.
Assist as needed in the discharge of the general workload of the Directorate for Legal Affairs in other areas.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background
A basic and postgraduate degree in law
Professional Background
Three to seven years’ relevant professional experience. Experience in the legal department of an international organisation, a ministry of foreign affairs or other similar international environment would be a definite advantage.
Demonstrated knowledge of public international law.
Experience overseeing the work of junior legal advisers would be an advantage.
Languages
An excellent written and oral command of one of the two official languages of the OECD (English and French) and working knowledge of the other. Ability to verify the equivalence of texts in both languages.
A working knowledge of Bulgarian, Croatian, Portuguese, Romanian, or Spanish would be an advantage.
Core Competencies
For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important: Achievement Focus, Analytical Thinking, Drafting Skills, Teamwork, Diplomatic Sensitivity, Negotiating, Organisational Knowledge.
Please refer to the OECD Core Competencies and the level 3 indicators.
Contract Duration
Subject to availability of funding. 13 months fixed-term, with the possibility of renewal.
Application Closing Date: 20-05-2022, 5:59:00 AM
