*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of (Senior) Legal Officer in* its Deputy Director-General’s Office. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The role – the (Senior) Legal Officer will provide legal advice, legal support and research on day-to-day legal matters across SPC. He/she will improve internal governance and provide input into modernising and professionalising SPC’s governance and risk operations.
This appointment will be made at either the Senior Legal Officer or the Legal Officer level, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Legal advice
• Provide specialised legal advice, both written and oral; and handle a wide range of highly complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting legal issues involving issues relating to international law, international administrative law and the relationship between international and domestic law as it impacts SPC’s operations
Legal research
• Prepares memoranda and other legal documents
• Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence; provides legal advice to all corporate teams and SPC divisions
• Prepares and reviews legal documents, instruments, contracts, templates or other material
• Contributes to and leads components of the review, design and writing updated SPC governance documents, policies, guidelines
Collaboration & support
• Builds strong collaborative relationships internally throughout SPC and with external stakeholders
• Contributes to and leads components of the review, design and writing updated SPC governance documents, policies, guidelines
• Provides outreach, education and training and raises awareness of SPC’s governance framework, legal obligations and responsibilities to SPC staff and members
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Meets the professional requirements to practice law in one or more jurisdictions of an SPC member country
2. Technical expertise
o For appointment at the Senior Legal Officer level, at least 9 to 10 years PQE in providing legal advice on governance, organizational or international law issues
o For appointment at the Legal Officer level, at least 5 years PQE in providing legal advice on governance, organizational or international law issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent legal analytical skills
3. Language skills
• Fluency in English
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• Cross-cultural skills and the ability to work with team members from different cultural backgrounds
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – Appointment will be made at either the Senior Legal Officer level (band 11 in SPC’s 2020 salary scale; starting salary range of range 4,113–5,045 SDR [Special Drawing Rights] per month, equivalent to approximately XPF 605,702–742,953 (USD 5,676–6,962; EUR 5,076–6,226); or the Legal Officer level (band 10; starting salary range of 3,490–4,267 SDR per month, equivalent to approximately XPF 514,028–628,360 (USD 4,817-5,888; EUR 4,308–5,266). An offer of appointment to one of these positions will be made, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate in relation to the criteria as outlined above. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of the relevant range, with due consideration being given to qualifications and experience. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.**Recruitment principles** – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 18 October 2020 – 11:00 pm Noumea Time.
Job Reference: SH000025
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
· an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
· a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
· responses to all screening questions
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.
Screening questions: (2.000 characters maximum per question)
Please describe your experience in providing legal analysis and advice to a public sector or international organisation.
Please describe your experience in collaborating with internal stakeholders to provide accurate and relevant legal advice, training and services.
Please briefly describe your experience and approach to working with people from diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds to achieve results.
What do you see as the key corporate legal issues for an intergovernmental organisation like SPC?
In which countries are you qualified to practice law?