Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the 1994 Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.

Responsibilities

The incumbent is a member of the Senior Management Team. Under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Secretary General and within delegated authority, the Legal Counsel and Director of OLA (See ISBA/ST/SGB/2022/2 for the functions of OLA) will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Formulate the work programme of OLA, particularly by determining priorities and identifying implementation modalities, and allocate resources accordingly for the completion and timely delivery of outputs. 2. Ensure that the outputs produced by OLA maintain high-quality standards and conform with relevant mandates and that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. 3. Oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of OLA, including supervision of the preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting and evaluation of staff performance (e-Performance). 4. Oversee the recruitment of the staff of OLA, taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values, and participate, as appropriate, in interviews of candidates for job openings and the evaluation of candidates. 5. Manage the development of staff of OLA, foster teamwork and communication among staff in OLA and across organizational boundaries. 6. Provide timely and accurate legal advice to the Secretary-General, the other principal organs of ISA and their subsidiary bodies on all matters within their mandates. 7. Provides general legal advice to other offices or units of the secretariat on matters relating to applications for the approval of plans of work for exploration or exploitation, contracts for exploration or exploitation and their extension, annual reports and periodic review reports submitted by the contractors 8. Represent the Secretary-General in legal proceedings before bodies such as the Joint Appeals Board, the United Nations Appeals Tribunal, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, including the Seabed Disputes Chamber, and commercial arbitral tribunals. 9. Provide legal and policy advice on external relations, including relationship agreements with other international organizations and provide legal advice on all matters relating to the grant and use of privileges and immunities, the relationship with the host government, the United Nations, and other protocol matters. 10. Lead the provision of secretariat services to the principal organs of ISA and their subsidiary bodies, including managing the provision of meeting services. 11. Maintain and develop the Satya N. Nandan Library, oversee the production of all official documentation, maintain the archives of the Authority, and manage the knowledge management function of the secretariat. 12. Support strategic coherence and coordination of the work of the secretariat through the Senior Management Group. 13. Represent the Secretary-General in international conferences and meetings when required, and ; provides substantive support to workshops and seminars, as appropriate 14. Consult with Permanent Missions, government entities, other international organizations and the private sector on matters relating to the work of the Division. 15. Performs other duties as requested by the Secretary-General.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to be a strong advocate for science-based policy and knowledge of the implications of legal, economic and policy decisions on the scientific and technical aspects and vice-versa. Demonstrated ability to work at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines and connect across seemingly disparate fields, as well as a good capacity for synthesis. Strong programme management skills with the capability to advise the Secretary-General and other senior officials on approaches and techniques to address highly complex issues relating to activities in the Area. Excellent policy analysis skills and the ability to produce reports and papers on scientific and technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Knowledge and ability to apply ISA rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations. 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 situation; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, vision, and programmes. Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public international law, including excellent knowledge of the law of the sea and the law of international organizations, or in a related area. A first-level university degree within combination two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible professional legal experience advising on issues of public and private international law, including the law and practice of international organizations, is required. • A minimum of two years of professional experience in a senior managerial and advisory position in the legal office of a government ministry or department or of an international organization is required. • Experience in professional legal work advising on issues of privileges and immunities, settlement of disputes and litigation is desirable. • Prior experience working in a regulatory environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Authority. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of two (2) years subject to availability of funding and satisfactory performance in the role. At the International Seabed Authority, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The International Seabed Authority is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The International Seabed Authority recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The International Seabed Authority Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised. Only nationals of ISA Member States are eligible for consideration.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.