Deputy Head

Background:
The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal services OSCE-wide with respect to public international law, internal justice matters, financial and contractual matters, and legal issues related to the structure and activities of the OSCE, including claims against it. OLA also advises on personnel matters, develops and strengthens the overall regulatory framework of the OSCE, and advises on its implementation, including with respect to international civil service law.

The Office of Legal Affairs sits within the Office of the Secretary General, which in turn plays a key role in supporting the Secretary General in the effective implementation of the mandate and specific tasks assigned to the Secretary General by the OSCE participating States. This includes primarily assisting the Secretary General in carrying out activities, serving as a focal point for liaison and support to the Chairperson-in-Office, co-ordinating policy advice provided to the Secretary General and the Chair as well as management decisions taken by the Secretary General.

The Deputy Head is expected to assist H/OLA carry out the main tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office by preparing expert and timely legal advice on the full range of legal issues that affect the OSCE, including by representing OLA in working groups and committees and supporting H/OLA in the mentoring of Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff members hired on Short-Term Appointments (STAs) and interns.

The Deputy Head is directly supervised by H/OLA (P5). The Director, Office of the Secretary General (D1) is the second level administrative supervisor. The incumbent directly supervises Junior Professional Officers and interns.

The Deputy Head communicates with OSCE officials requiring OLA’s advice, as appropriate. The incumbent may be required to contact officials from the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as international and non-governmental organizations to obtain or provide any kind of information required by or of OLA.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. Provides expert and timely legal advice on the interpretation of the regulatory framework of the Organization, including the Financial and Staff Regulations, Rules, Instructions and other administrative issuances, and prepares drafts and reviews proposed amendments thereto; and prepares drafts and reviews other administrative issuances (e.g., policy guidance, guidelines) and verifies their consistency with the Regulations, Rules and Instructions;
2. Provides expert and timely legal advice on the full scope of multi-disciplinary, complex and novel legal issues relating to the function of the Organization, including concerning the legal status and privileges and immunities of the OSCE and its officials;
3. Provides expert and timely legal advice on the drafting, negotiation and interpretation of legal instruments, including international agreements, arrangements, memoranda of understanding or other legal arrangements concluded on behalf of the Organization with participating States, international organizations and other entities;
4. Provides expert and timely legal advice on contractual matters, as required, including dispute resolution, intellectual property rights, insurance and data protection; participates in the drafting and negotiation of leases and high value and complex commercial contracts with senior officials in the Secretariat, Institutions and Field Operations;
5. Provides expert and timely legal advice on procedural issues arising in OSCE decision-making bodies;
6. Conducts legal research and analysis for the preparation of legal opinions, studies, reports or correspondence;
7. Serves as Officer-in-Charge (OiC) of the office, in the absence of H/OLA.

Necessary Qualifications:

- Education: A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in Law is required. A second-level university degree would be desirable.
- Experience and knowledge/skills: A minimum of seven years (nine with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible professional-level experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required, including at least three years in international organizations;
- Proven knowledge of the legal frameworks of international organizations;
- Digital literacy and proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet.
- Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; Knowledge of another official OSCE language would be an asset.
- Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

Remuneration Package:
Monthly remuneration is around EUR 7,800, with the actual monthly salary de