SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT



Closing Date: June 25, 2021

Type of Vacancy: /

Details of the Post

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified nationals of CARIFORUM Member States to fill the abovementioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station in Guyana.

2.         FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

This position supports the objectives of the Institutional Support for CARIFORUM-EU Development Cooperation and EPA Implementation Grant Contract with respect to advancing the implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) through the provision of legal advice to the joint Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, including to representatives of CARIFORUM on the joint Institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, relating to the carrying out of their respective functions; to the CARIFORUM Directorate in carrying out activities related to the operations of the EPA and to CARIFORUM States, through appropriate channels of communication.

The requirements of the position include the preparation of draft Agreements, Decisions and other instruments in relation to the matters set out above and monitoring progress of, and the provision of assistance in, the implementation of decisions and of the joint Institutions of the EPA; research and the formulation of policy proposals on legally related matters.

The position is deemed to be effective, efficient and relevant when under the direction of Director, EPA Implementation Unit:

  • Legal advice on matters related to the implementation and application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA is provided to the joint Institutions of the EPA.
  • CARIFORUM representatives on the joint Institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA are provided with timely legal services support on matters relating to the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.
  • Legal advice, as requested, is provided to CARIFORUM States in the implementation and application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.
  • Legal documents and other instruments are being prepared, reviewed, interpreted and applied.
  • The joint institutions and other bodies of the EPA are operating efficiently and effectively.
  • Draft Decisions of the joint Institutions and other instruments pertaining to the CARIFORUM-EU EPA are prepared and submitted to the relevant joint Institutions for approval and, where necessary, assistance is provided in the implementation of the Decisions.
  • Support pertaining to legislative interventions necessary to facilitate implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA obligations is provided.

3.         QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates should possess a Bachelor of Laws Degree, qualification as an Attorney-at-Law, with admission to the Bar of a CARIFORUM State and an LLM or post graduate degree in international law, preferably dealing with WTO issues, international trade or public international law. Qualification in or knowledge of EU Law will be an asset, plus at least eight (8) years post qualification and relevant experience as an attorney-at-law in a CARIFORUM State and relevant working experience in one or more of the following:

  • an international/regional organisation
  • Office of the Attorney-General/ Parliamentary Counsel Department
  • Ministry of Foreign Trade or other relevant Ministry

Candidates should possess:

  • Specialised or on the job training and working knowledge in Information Technology (IT) readiness, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
  • Knowledge of the provisions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments. Work experience with other regional or international trade Agreements will be an asset; and
  • Knowledge and experience in drafting of documents and legal texts clearly and precisely, including legislation.

In addition, the position requires:

  • Strong legal research and writing skills.
  • Experience in preparing, interpreting and applying legal documents including treaties and legislation.
  • Experience in the practical application of international trade law principles and/or international trade agreements, especially the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.
  • Experience in working in teams.

4.         DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Director, the Senior Legal Officer will be required to:

4.1       INTERPRET and APPLY the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments and PROVIDE advice in that regard;

4.2       UNDERTAKE the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identify important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.;

4.3       PREPARE Legal Opinions and Briefs, Papers and Reports on legally related matters as required;

4.4       PROVIDE legal advice, as requested, to CARIFORUM States in the implementation and application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;

4.5       PROVIDE legal advice to the joint institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA on matters related to the interpretation and application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments;

4.6       PROVIDE legalservices support to CARIFORUM representatives participating in meetings of joint CARIFORUM-EU institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and in meetings preparatory thereto;

4.7       ASSIST in the preparation ofDecisions/Recommendations of joint institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU and COORDINATE the formal processes for executing the Decisions/Recommendations;

4.8       MONITOR progress, folloW-up and assist in the implementation of Decisions and Recommendations of joint Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;

4.9       COORDINATE, subject to the availability of resources, the preparation of model and            country-specific legislation to implement CARIFORUM-EU EPA obligations using, as necessary, short-term consultants;

4.10     ASSIST inthe drafting of Treaties/International Agreements and rules of procedure for Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;

4.11     COORDINATE the maintenance of records relating to treaty actions undertaken by the Parties and the Signatory CARIFORUM States in relation to the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and PROVIDE advice in relation to the depositary practices of the Depositary;

4.12     LIAISE with the competent officials in CARIFORUM States and the EU on CARIFORUM-EU EPA implementation matters;

4.13     MANAGE the procurement and performance of short-term consultants recruited to assist in implementing any of the above activities to ensure the timely completion of deliverables in keeping with scope and cost; and

4.14     PROVIDE legal advisory services to the CARIFORUM Directorate pertaining to the application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.

In addition to the Results and Activities outlined above, the incumbent is expected to perform any other duties in line with job responsibilities that may be assigned by the Director, EPA Implementation Unit.

5.         EMOLUMENTS AND BENEFITS

An attractive remuneration package will be offered.

6.         EDUCATION GRANT

The Officer shall be eligible for the payment of an education grant in respect of children (including stepchildren and legally-adopted children) who require reasonable education facilities that are not available at the assigned duty station or whose education the Officer would not want to disrupt in relocating to take up this appointment.

The grant shall apply to children under the age of twenty-three years and shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the cost of tuition (including textbooks), room and board up to a maximum total of EC$16,200.00 per year per child for a maximum of two children at any one time. The grant is payable for a maximum of five years.

7.         SETTLEMENT GRANT

On assumption of duty in Guyana, the Officer shall be paid a settlement grant in respect of the staff member, his or her spouse and each eligible child or other approved dependent.  The number of dependents eligible for Settlement Grant shall not exceed six (6) persons.

8.         RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT

Appointment may be on contract or on secondment from a Public Service or a statutory body of a Member State or approved regional organisation. It will be subject to such regulations, rules, orders and instructions as exist and as may be introduced from time to time in respect of service with the Secretariat.

An officer recruited from outside the assigned duty station, on first appointment, will be provided economy class air passages by the most direct route for the officer, spouse and children (provided they are below the age of eighteen years, unmarried and dependent on the officer) and for such other dependents not exceeding two as may be approved by the Secretary-General, provided that the number of children and other dependents does not exceed six (6) in all.

In addition to passages, the Officer will be granted the following transportation allowances:

(i)         ocean freight charges, including insurance, for shipping personal and household effects to Guyana, not exceeding 45.3 cubic meters, plus a motor car (if the Officer already owns one);

(ii)        the cost of transporting baggage, personal and household effects from the home of the Officer to the place of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation to the place of residence in Guyana; and

  • the cost of packing and crating personal and household effects.

9.         LEAVE

The Officer will be eligible for the grant of vacation leave at the rate of twenty (20) working days a year and a leave grant after every twelve months of service in respect of the Officer, spouse and up to two dependent children.

10.       PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

The Officer will be granted the privileges and immunities extended to officials of the Caribbean Community in accordance with Article 8 of the Community’s Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Guyana.

11.       GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Subject to your acceptance by the Secretariat’s insurance carrier, Sagicor Life Inc., the Officer will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s group health, life and accident insurance schemes. With respect to the health scheme, the Officer will contribute fifty per cent of the premium.  The life and accident insurance scheme is non-contributory.

12.       SUPERANNUATION

An officer on contract shall, subject to his/her services being satisfactory and having completed at least six (6) months of the contractual term of employment be eligible for the payment of a gratuity. The gratuity shall be at the rate of twenty per cent of the officer’s basic salary, calculated for each day of completed service and shall be payable at the end of the officer’s contractual period (including for this purpose any period of extension or approved leave). Where the appointment is on secondment, the Secretariat will pay to the officer’s substantive employer, over the period of secondment, a contribution not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the pensionable salary normally payable to the officer by that employer so as to maintain the pensionable status of the officer in the substantive employment.

13.       APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates must create a job profile and apply for the position via the                  CARICOM Secretariat’s Employment Portal. The link can be accessed at – https://caricom.org/opportunities_category/caricom-secretariat-vacancies/ .

14.       The deadline for the submission of applications is 25 June 2021.

Back to top button