Chief Legal Counsel (Job Number: 07877)
Description
We are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organisation committed to advancing security of energy supply, economic growth and environmental sustainability through energy policy co-operation. The IEA operates as an autonomous body within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD is a unique forum where the governments of 34 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of the globalizing world economy. Both the OECD and the IEA seek opportunities to work with an increasing number of non-Members of growing importance to the world economy.
FIXED-TERM APPOINTMENT: 3 YEARS, RENEWABLE
The IEA is seeking a Chief Legal Counsel to join its Strategic Leadership Group with responsibility for providing counsel and legal advice on all aspects of the activities and operations of the Agency, including activities with non-Member countries and with other international bodies as well as activities related to its emergency response mandate. S/he will negotiate all legally significant documents and will be responsible for representing the Agency to other international bodies, to governments, to industry and to adjudicatory authorities with respect to any legal issue affecting the Agency. The Chief Legal Counsel also acts as Secretary to the IEA Governing Board
The selected candidate will be part of the Agency’s Strategic Leadership Group, reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Deputy Executive Director, the Directors and staff across the Agency, and will liaise with the OECD Director of Legal Affairs as appropriate S/he will manage a small enthusiastic team of legal professionals who are responsible for the provision of all legal services for the functioning of the Agency
Job Duties
1. Office of the Legal Counsel
- Manage a small team of legal professionals and accept accountability for the quality, timeliness and relevance of the Office’s outputs. Contribute personally to these outputs through intellectual leadership, coaching and developing staff. Build a collegial and productive working atmosphere.
- Identify and advise on legal issues and problems arising in the work of the Agency and more specifically:
- Provide strategic counsel and advice to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.
- Serve as a member of the Agency’s Strategic Leadership Group (SLG), which meets weekly.
- Advise the SLG on relevant questions of international law and treaty interpretation relevant to the Agency’s basic texts and Agreements, and on legal questions concerning the organisation, structure, management and administration of the Agency.
- Advise the SLG on legal issues related to the Agency’s activities with non-Member countries and with international bodies as well as activities related to its emergency response mandate, including activation of emergency measures and cooperation with non-Member countries.
- Lead negotiations with non-Member governments concerning their accession to the Agreement on an International Energy Program.
- Prepare, negotiate and advise Agency staff members on contracts and such other legal instruments as may be required for the operations of the Agency, including contracts related to procurement.
- Prepare and advise the SLG, Agency staff members and Standing Committees on the administration of energy research and the development of IEA Implementing Agreements.
- Draft, or assist in the drafting, of documents for the Agency Standing Committees having legal significance, including conclusions and decisions of Governing Board meetings.
- Advise the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director on procedural and governance issues of the Agency, including those relating to relations with non-Member countries and with other international bodies.
2. The IEA Governing Board
- Act as Secretary of the Governing Board, preparing meetings and ensuring timely follow up. This includes:
- Providing strategic support and advice to the Executive Director and the Chair of the Governing Board.
- In close collaboration with the Executive Director’s Office, overseeing preparation of the agenda, annotated agenda and briefing books for meetings, ensuring the timely distribution of documents, overseeing the operational and organisational aspects of these meetings and related preparatory briefing and Bureau meetings.
- Drafting the conclusions and decisions of the Governing Board.
- Oversee co-ordination of the preparation of the biennial meeting of the Governing Board at ministerial level.
- Assist the Secretaries of the Agency’s Standing Committees to ensure that they follow appropriate procedures and processes.
3. Liaison and outreach
Maintain and develop an extensive network of contacts in legal fields of relevance to the work of the Agency, including in other international bodies. Maintain necessary contacts with the permanent delegations and keep informed of their positions on relevant matters.
Represent the Agency at high-level meetings and conferences, in particular those addressing legal issues of relevance to the IEA.
Qualifications: education, experience, communication and languages
1. Education and experience
- Advanced university degree(s) in law, preferably with a specialisation in international law.
- At least fifteen years’ experience in the legal aspects of international relations and/or law practice, either in a national government or in an international organisation. Experience in international bilateral and multilateral negotiations coupled with a proven knowledge of the general principles of more than one legal system would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of anti-trust and energy law, in particular the provisions of the International Energy Program as well as decisions of the OECD Counsel and the IEA Governing Board relating inter alia to emergency response measures and to IEA Implementing Agreements.
2. Key competencies
- Strategic vision, creativity, energy and commitment. A strong political sense and effective diplomatic skills. Ability to influence, negotiate, achieve consensus and interact effectively with multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to identify and analyse key issues quickly in the face of complexity and ambiguity and to identify solutions that are legally sound and take into account cultural and political sensitivities.
- Strong leadership and management skills. Ability to mobilise support for the Agency’s work. Proven track record of managing complex projects involving multiple inputs to meet tight deadlines and to budget. Strong sense of responsibility for the successful completion of assigned work on time. Demonstrated ability to create an environment conducive to teamwork, innovation and open communication.
- Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain harmonious working relations with colleagues at all levels in a multicultural environment as well as the ability to foster contacts with officials in national and international bodies.
3. Communication and languages
- A professional demeanour and proven skills in public speaking, making effective presentations and dealing with the media.
- First rate communications skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts to senior managers orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner as well as to produce flawless formal legal drafts and documents.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English; working knowledge of French is desirable.
N.B. Short-listed candidates for this vacancy may be required to undergo a written exercise.
The appointment may initially be made at the level immediately below if the qualifications and professional experience of the selected person correspond to that level ; in this case, the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position will be adjusted accordingly.
To apply for this position please click here.
No comments: