The OPEC Fund for International Development is accepting applications for the position of Secretary of its Administrative Tribunal. The Tribunal is an independent body that hears matters within its competence as defined by the Statute of the Tribunal, and makes final and binding decisions.
The Tribunal is composed of five members appointed by the OPEC Fund‘s Governing Board. It is governed by the Statute and Rules of the Administrative Tribunal approved by the Governing Board, as well as any supplementary documents approved from time to time. The Tribunal is non-resident and convenes virtually only when there is an appeal to be decided.
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply.
Type of Appointment: Retainer
Duration: 1 year (renewable)
Location: Virtual
Compensation: Fixed rate per day worked
Key Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the President, the Secretary shall:
a) coordinate the Tribunal’s work program, including the appeal process and meetings of the Tribunal;
b) serve as the channel of communication between appellants/their counsel, the OPEC Fund’s counsel and the Tribunal in matters relating to cases before the Tribunal;
c) attend hearings and meetings of the Tribunal, and keep records/minutes of such hearings and meetings, including arranging for transcription of recording of oral hearings;
d) maintain the archives of the Tribunal, including maintaining for each case a record of all documents received and sent (including the relevant dates), and of all actions taken, in connection with the case;
e) assist the Tribunal in the handling of procedural issues and provide drafting assistance when required;
f) provide guidance to interested parties on the procedural requirements of the Tribunal’s Statute and Rules, and on the Tribunal’s case law;
g) maintain working relationships with other international administrative tribunals and ensure that the Tribunal is up-to-date with developments in the field of international administrative law;
h) ensure quality control of the Tribunal’s work products by carrying out document review and ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures;
i) follow up with appellants/their counsels, the OPEC Fund’s Counsel and the Tribunal to ensure compliance with procedural requirements in submission and review/resolution of cases;
j) assist the Tribunal in circulating practice directions relating to pleadings and hearings;
k) assist the Tribunal in the preparation of annual reports;
l) expeditiously carry out the above tasks and others assigned by the President or the chair of an Appeal Panel; and
m) carry out all other tasks necessary and incidental to the effective functioning of the Tribunal.
Required Qualifications:
a) Advanced university degree in law and admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction;
b) Minimum of 12 years’ PQE, with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in international law, international administrative law, employment relations, international dispute resolution, and/or international organizations law;
c) Demonstrated experience working as Secretary of an administrative or employment tribunal of an international organization or in a similar capacity within such an organization;
d) Solid understanding of the fundamentals of common law or civil law legal systems, including procedural matters;
e) Outstanding legal drafting and research skills, including precision, sensitivity and elegance;
f) Sound knowledge of the operations of international tribunals, including their procedural and case law;
g) Fluency in English language is required. Advanced proficiency in German, French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.
Key Competencies:
a) Ability to work and deal with sensitive issues in a multicultural setting, and to build effective working relations with key stakeholders within and outside OPEC Fund.
b) Ability to work under pressure and meet required timelines.
c) Superior analytical and problem solving skills combined with attention to detail.
d) Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and guidance.
e) Excellent interpersonal, organizational, coordination and case/time management skills.
f) Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
g) Ability to work with LegalTech and ICT tools relevant for conducting the business of an Administrative Tribunal’s secretariat (including research and case management applications).
Application:
Applications should be sent only to AdministrativeTribunal@opecfund.org no later than January 16, 2023 at 23:59 Vienna Time (CET) and should contain the following information:
a) Curriculum Vitae
b) Statement of Interest
c) Any other information or document the applicant considers relevant.
