Legal Specialist (Retainer)
JOB DETAIL
Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)
The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:
- Infrastructure
- Procurement
- Project Management (full service, back on track)
- HR and Transactional Services
- Grants Management
- Technical and Advisory Services
- Project Information
UNOPS in Albania
UNOPS Office Albania is part of the UNOPS European and Central Asia Regional Office in Geneva and is supported by the Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Vienna. Established in 2020 to support, develop and oversee UNOPS’ growing portfolio of projects in the country, it has been supporting the Government of Albania to Build Back Better in facing the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and the earthquake prior to it.
Project Background and Role of the incumbent
The project “Support to the Rule of Law through Digital Transformation: Advancing Case Management and Business Intelligence Capabilities in Albania”, known as the EU4Digital Justice Project (EU4DJ), seeks to strengthen the rule of law in Albania. It focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of judicial institutions while aligning the human rights framework with EU best practices. Over its four-year implementation period, the project will modernize key judicial processes through digitalization and enhance the interoperability of digital systems across various justice institutions.
To support this initiative, the project requires a Legal Specialist to provide expert advice and guidance on Albania’s national legal frameworks and statutes. This role is essential to ensure that the design and implementation of digital solutions comply with applicable legal standards, including EU requirements. The Legal Specialist will report to the Senior Project Manager and contribute to the project on an as-needed basis.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Project Manager, the Legal Specialist is responsible for ensuring that legal advice and recommendation is provided to the project team for the implementation of the activities:
- Legal Analysis: Assess existing national laws, regulations, and policies relevant for the implementation of project activities; identify potential legal gaps, risks and compliance issues.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Legal Updates: Regularly consult with stakeholders, including government agencies, judicial institutions, and EU representatives, to stay informed about developments in the justice sector. Monitor changes in national laws, regulations, and best practices, adapting strategies to address emerging legal risks and ensure alignment with current standards.
- EU Standards and Integration: Analyze and consider relevant EU standards, practices, and requirements related to national justice reform and EU integration. Ensure that project activities align with EU directives and support Albania’s broader objectives of harmonization with EU frameworks.
- Technical and Quality Support: Contribute to the design and development of digital solutions by offering relevant legal analysis and advisory support, ensuring compliance with national and EU regulations. This includes evaluating legal gap analysis, addressing data protection and privacy concerns, and ensuring the interoperability of digital systems aligns with best practices and legal frameworks.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Support the project manager in conducting preliminary risk assessments to identify factors that could impact project viability from technical and regulatory perspectives, and recommend proactive solutions.
- Due Diligence and Documentation: Prepare a due diligence checklist, document legal advice and compliance activities as requested by the supervisor.
- Review and Advisory: Evaluate local best practices and research on copyright, intellectual property, data protection, information security, procurement, and contracting.
The advice provided by the Legal Special will be limited to providing necessary local law advice in the context of project implementation and the matters listed above. Any issue that relates to other legal matters shall be referred to UNOPS Legal Group.
Matters falling under the purview of UNOPS Legal Group include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Legal clearance and interpretation of engagements and any amendments thereof;
- Legal clearance of deviations to and interpretation of General Conditions in UNOPS grant agreements and procurement contracts, including works contracts;
- Legal advice related to disputes between UNOPS and external parties, including representation of UNOPS in legal proceedings;
- Other legal advice related to UNOPS’ operations that does not require local law advice;
- Legal advice related to UNOPS privileges and immunities and UNOPS’ status as a UN entity;
- Administrative law advice and personnel disputes.
Education
- Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, or a closely related area is required or a first-level university degree in law (Bachelor’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
- At least 5 years experience in legal analysis and advising on national laws is required
- Familiarity with Albania’s legal system and national regulations, as well as EU regulations especially in relation to the judiciary and public administration is required;
- Demonstrated experience working on projects involving the legal aspects of developing, implementing, and deploying IT systems, ideally within the government sector
- Expertise in data protection and privacy laws (e.g., GDPR or local data protection regulations) and applying these principles to IT projects is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity legal issues, information security regulations, and best practices for protecting sensitive data and systems is an asset.
Certification
- Law
Language Skills
- Fluency in English and Albanian is required
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local-ICA-10 (ICS-10) – Retainer
Contract duration: Retainer basis for an estimated 160 days over a 3-year period, with the possibility of extension based on organizational needs.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
| Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) |
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
| Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
| Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
| Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
| Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
| Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
- Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
- We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
