Adviser and Head of Economic and Legal Section Special Advisory Services Division (SASD)

Reference: 130200445
Location: London, UK | Salary: £83,807 per annum gross
Closing Date: 29 Mar 2013

Job Summary

The post-holder is responsible for:

Managing the delivery of Economic and Legal Services' (ELS) advisory services and supervising its professional staff comprising economists and lawyers specialised in the areas of focus;
Managing a portfolio of projects within their area of expertise;
Delivering economic or legal advice, either alone or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within their area of expertise.

The post-holder:

Manages the delivery of ELS advisory services. Key duties include:

Strategic planning and monitoring and exercising control over the delivery and quality of services;

Appraising new requests for assistance;

Ensuring that projects within both sub-programmes are managed in line with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Results Based Management methodology;

Preparing and managing the ELS programme budgets;

Maintaining contact and collaborating with other parts of the Commonwealth Secretariat and with external agencies and strategic partners;

Supervising, assisting in professional development and undertaking performance appraisal of ELS staff;

Supervising administrative staff assigned to ELS; and

Assisting the Director with the management and administration of Divisional affairs.

Manages a portfolio of projects within their area of expertise by:

Defining project parameters in response to government requests for assistance and obtaining project approvals;

Managing and reporting on project implementation and monitor project performance;

Leading the work of multi-disciplinary project teams in the office and on mission;

Defining, mobilising and supervising specialist legal, technical and other inputs to projects made by external consultants, as required.

Provides advice on and assists governments to formulate policies, implement necessary measures and engage in investment negotiations for the development of petroleum and mineral resources or for the management of marine resources. This will include:

Conducting reviews, in consultation with government officials, of economic policy, fiscal and regulatory issues;

Preparing written and oral advice and recommendations;

Participating, when requested, in negotiations with investors;

Engaging the services of technical experts to prepare pertinent reports and advice; and

Guiding the technical quality of the work of other ELS economists and/or lawyers.

Develops strategic partnerships and initiatives with multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies in relation to petroleum and mineral resources and maintains contacts with senior government officials and other international agencies;
Contributes to international seminars, conferences and expert group meetings relating to petroleum and mineral resources.

Qualifications and Work Experience

A degree in economics or law and a post-graduate degree of relevance to either natural resources development or the management of marine resources.
Candidates should clearly identify in their application which of the two sub-programmes is their main area of expertise.
Substantial experience a senior level as an economist or lawyer involved in petroleum and mineral resources development and/or marine resource management, gained in a developing country, government ministry or international advisory context.
A demonstrable record of managing projects and programmes as well as experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.
Desirable: Experience that relates to the other sub-programme which is not the candidate’s core area of expertise.

About the Legal Section Special Advisory Services Division (SASD)

The Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) is a major development co-operation arm of the Commonwealth Secretariat, supporting the development efforts of member countries through technical assistance and capacity building. A significant part of the Division’s work is of a consultancy and advisory nature, delivered through a combination of in-house and external expertise. The Division has four sections: the Economic and Legal Section, the Debt Management Section, the Trade Section and the Enterprise and Agriculture Section.

The Economic and Legal Section (ELS) operates as an in-house consultancy service, offering policy, legal and economic advice and assistance on two sub-programmes:

The development of natural resources including petroleum, gas and minerals; and
The sustainable development and management of marine resources, including maritime boundaries delimitation and negotiations.