ILO Staff Union Legal Adviser -- ILO, Geneva - Switzerland

Vacancy No: CALL/P/2015/SUC
Title: ILO Staff Union Legal Adviser P4  
Grade: P.4  
Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment  
Duration of contract:  One year fixed term, renewable   
Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 30 November 2015  
Organization unit:   SYNDICAT  
Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland

The attention of candidates is drawn to the fact that this is a position within the International Labour Organization (ILO) Staff Union secretariat. An appointment to this position is limited to service with the aforementioned secretariat and carries no expectation of a career in the ILO. The incumbent will report to the ILO Staff Union Committee. As such, the recruitment and selection process will be administered, and the day-to-day management of the incumbent will fall under the sole responsibility of the ILO Staff Union and are not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations. Annex I provides a summary of the salary, allowances and benefits offered. The following are eligible to apply: - ILO internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. - External candidates. The ILO, like its Union, values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.

INTRODUCTION The position is located within the ILO Staff Union Committee secretariat. In accordance with article 3 of its rules, the objects of the ILO Staff Union shall be to: "defend and promote the professional, economic and social interests of all persons in the employment of the International Labour Organization (here-after "ILO"), particularly by the satisfactory regulation and improvement of conditions of employment, work and welfare in the widest sense; to defend the interests of persons formerly in the employment of the ILO; to cooperate with the Director-General in seeking to reach the objectives of the Organization and ensure the efficient working of the Organization; and to safeguard the status, independence and safety of all categories of staff employed by the ILO. Moreover, the Union shall participate in defending the rights of the international civil service, in particular defending the independence, terms and conditions of employment and the safety of international civil servants. In order to promote the fundamental trade union rights and to improve international civil servants' terms and conditions of employment, the Union may work with persons from other international organizations and their associations or unions, as well as with any other similar structure." The incumbent will provide legal advice to the Staff Union Committee and individual staff members, at headquarters and in the field, on the application and interpretation of the Staff Regulations, collective agreements, policies and procedures in force. The position reports to the Chairperson of the Staff Union Committee, whilst working in collaboration with the Coordinator of the Staff Union Committee Legal Support Unit.

Description of Duties Specific duties 1. Provide the Committee, ILO or Staff Union representatives within the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) with legal advice on any proposals made by the administration concerning the terms and conditions of employment of staff or legal issues, the terms and conditions of employment at headquarters and in the field, as well as decisions relating to the United Nations common system, emerging inter alia from the General Assembly (Fifth Committee) or the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). 2. Regularly make proposals to the Staff Union Committee on the legal strategy to be adopted for a given period. 3. Draft or participate in the drafting of collective agreements or other arrangements negotiated with the ILO administration. 4. Provide any requesting member of the Union with legal assistance when drafting appeals (summaries of facts, pleadings and rulings) that are submitted to the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), the Joint Advisory Appeals Board (JAAB) and, in the last instance, the ILO Administrative Tribunal (TRIB). 5. Carry out research on the jurisprudence of the ILO Administrative Tribunal and other international courts. Prepare notes on jurisprudence that are regularly published in the Union's communications or shared with the Staff Union Committee. 6. Analyse and interpret the applicable law and international conventions (headquarters agreements) that may have an impact on ILO employees' terms and conditions of employment. 7. Individually or collectively advise members of the ILO Staff Union on issues relating to their conditions. Make proposals on individual or collective legal strategies to be adopted in certain situations. 8. During meetings organized by the Union, attend and conduct training on legal issues and the law applicable to ILO staff and advise local committees. 9. Develop, plan and implement technical advisory and promotional activities, including seminars, workshops, lectures and discussion groups with the representatives in the regions or of other international organizations. Represent the Union on missions which may be of a sensitive or controversial nature (ICSC, regional meetings, crises involving intervention by the Union or Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System. (CCISUA) Federation) and before judicial bodies (JAAB, TRIB). Represent the Union on internal committees or at inter-agency meetings. These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties: Generic duties 1. Draft or supervise the drafting of summaries of facts or pleadings to be incorporated in judgements. 2. Research and prepare notes on jurisprudence and interpretations. Draft short summaries of pending cases. 3. Make proposals on the working arrangements of each session. 4. Verify the consistency of two-language versions of judgements. 5. Prepare analyses of judgements for inclusion in the appropriate databases.

Required Qualifications

Education Advanced university degree, or first level degree with two years relevant experience (in addition to the experience required below), in international administrative law.

Experience Minimum of eight years' practical experience at the national level or at least six years at the international level in the area of international administrative law. Professional experience in the trade union movement would be an advantage.

Languages Excellent command of two working languages of the Organization (with a preference for English and French). Working knowledge of a third language would be an advantage.

Competencies In addition to the core competencies required by the ILO (integrity and transparency, sensitivity to diversity, orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, client orientation, communication, orientation to change, takes responsibility for performance, quality orientation, collaboration), this position requires: Technical competencies - Ability to apply the principles of law to the analysis of a variety of subject matters requiring interrelationships between the subject under review and existing rules and practice; - Ability to prepare responses to enquiries and complaints in a clear and concise manner; - Ability to listen and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; - Ability to resolve a variety of legal issues and advise staff on the appropriate course of action; - Good knowledge of ILO rules, policies and practices, in both the field and at headquarters, would be an advantage, or knowledge and practical experience in the international organizations of the United Nations system, as applicable. Behavioural competencies - Tact and discretion, especially in dealing with confidential matters; - Ability to work in a team (particularly with the Staff Union Committee and the Staff Union Committee Legal Support Unit); - Sensitivity to personal and social issues; - Integrity; - Commitment to the values of the international civil service and the ILO; - Involvement in and familiarity with the trade union movement.

Additional Information: APPENDIX I CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The salary range of this grade is the following: with dependants: 73338 US dollars (minimum) to 93868 US dollars (maximum) including post adjustment 66737 US dollars (minimum) to 85419 US dollars (maximum); without dependants: 68294 US dollars (minimum) to 91301 US dollars (maximum) including post adjustment 62147 US dollars (minimum) to 83083 US dollars (maximum); Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment: - Children's allowance (except for the first child if the dependent rate of salary is paid in respect of that child); - Children's education grant (per child per year); - Pension and Health Insurance schemes; - 30 working days' annual leave; - Assignment Grant; - Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects; - Repatriation Grant; - Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years; - Rental subsidy (if applicable).

Moreinfo: https://erecruit.ilo.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=32188&vaclng=en