Legal Officer (International Investment Agreements)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Investment Policies Branch, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Legal Affairs Officer will report to the Chief, International Investment Agreements Section in the Investment Policies Branch at the Division of Investment and Enterprise. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence the national and international legal frameworks and agreements related to foreign direct investment (FDI) for sustainable development. • Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc in the area of international investment for sustainable development. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international investment agreements and related international policies including on digitalization and the energy transition. • Prepares or assists in the preparation technical and analytical input to UNCTAD publications on international investment agreements issues and the promotion of international investment. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of non-binding guiding principles and policy recommendations on investment policymaking for regional integration organizations and partner entities. • Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc. in the area of international investment. • Administers programmes of legal technical assistance pertaining to international investment for development. • Prepares or assists with the preparation of international investment law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events. • Provides guidance to more junior staff. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminologyin the field of international investment. Familiarity with the interplays between investment agreements and taxation, the energy transition or health. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on international investment. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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 situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in the above-mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Two years of experience in international investment data analytics is desirable. Analytical experience on the interplay between international investment agreements and taxation, the energy transition or health is desirable. Experience in technical assistance or other capacity building activities in international investment agreements is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish or Arabic or Russian is desirable. 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).