In accordance with paragraph f. of Article 44 of the General Standards, the official languages of the Organization are English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.  No candidate for a position in the General Secretariat subject to the competition requirement shall be contracted until he/she has passed language proficiency exams administered by the DHR in at least two of the official languages. Nevertheless, i) Any candidate, including staff member whose native language is one of those four languages shall only be required to demonstrate proficiency on an exam in one of the others; and (ii) Persons applying for G-1 and G-2 positions at Headquarters and G-3 driver/clerk positions in those Offices of the General Secretariat in the Member States where the language requirement unduly restricts the recruitment of otherwise qualified staff shall be exempt from this language proficiency requirement for as long as they occupy those positions. Subsequently, in order to be eligible to compete for a higher-level position, any staff member who has benefited from this exemption must demonstrate proficiency in a second official language of the Organization. (iii) A person selected as the best candidate may receive a fixed-term contract, which will be considered to have lapsed in case the person does not pass the required language examination within the 36 months following the appointment.

Duties and Responsibilities.

The Legal Officer of the Secretariat of the Inter-American Juridical Committee has the following duties, under the supervision and in consultation with the Director of the Department of International Law:

• Provide authorized legal advice to the Inter-American Juridical Committee (CJI) in the field of international law and does legal research.
  • Prepare studies, reports, draft resolutions, and other technical legal documents at the request of the DIL Director.
• Conduct legal research and assist in the drafting of rapporteurs’ reports.
• Offer legal advice on norms governing the CJI and other pertinent bodies of the Inter-American system.
• Respond to legal and procedural questions raised during deliberations or discussions.

·       Support for CJI Meetings and Sessions

o   Organize meetings and regular sessions of the CJI in collaboration with the DIL Director.

o   Draft all session-related documentation, including:

• Order of Business
• Annotated Agendas
• Minutes
• Annual Report of the CJI
• Coordinate the translation, classification, and distribution of session documents based on priority and session needs.
• Arrange and supervise:
  • Interpretation, audio, and recording services
  • Logistical and technical requirements
  • Social activities hosted by the CJI
• Provide direct assistance to the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the CJI during sessions.
• Maintain ongoing communication with CJI leadership and members
• In charge of the publication of all documentation.

• Coordinate all cooperative relations with universities, institutes, and other teaching centers, as well as with national and international committees and entities devoted to study, research, teaching, or dissemination of information on juridical matters of international interest, as established in the Charter of the OAS.
  • Legal Officer is responsible for drafting cooperation agreements and organize joint activities aligned with the OAS Charter.

o   Plan and manage promotional activities, including:

• Drafting event agendas
• Selecting and guiding guest professors
• Preparing event reports
• Overseeing the publication of event outcomes
• Represent DIL in courses, workshops, seminars, and forums.

• Coordinate the Course on International Law held each year in Rio de Janeiro
• Develop a work plan in coordination with Director of the Department of International Law.
• Liaise with participating professors, offering orientation and support.
• Participate in the selection of students.
• Supervise contracted staff involved in the course, if needed.
• Draft and manage the budget execution plan for the course.
• Ensure administrative and contractual arrangements are in place for the course and for invited professors attending both the Course and visiting CJI regular sessions.
• Maintain relations with the School of the Magistrature of Rio de Janeiro, entity that is providing the space for the development of the Course, or any other institution interested in holding the Course.
• In charge of all the work concerning the publication of the Course of International Law, including organizing, editing, publishing, and distribution.  This may include the annual edition and any other thematic publication.

• Manage all information available on the web page of the CJI
  • Responsible of maintaining and updating the CJI website, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information.
  • Administrate all tools used to promote the work of the Committee (such as tweeter and Instagram).

• Project Development and Fundraising
  • Draft project proposals for funding activities of interest to the DIL or CJI, taken into account the Program on the Development and Dissemination of International Law.

• Under the supervision of the Director of the DIL and with the assistance of the officer in charge, manages the office of the Committee at its headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, overseeing all necessary administrative tasks for its normal functioning.  The incumbent is responsible for the following:
  
   
• Manage daily operations of the CJI office, ensuring all administrative tasks are fulfilled.
• Draft budgets for regular sessions of the Committee and the Course of International Law, besides any events, seminars and workshops that may be needed.
• Oversee logistics and administration all administrative acts and logistics necessary for the normal development of the sessions of the CJI.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure budget compliance.
• Provide support and guidance to the fund’s administrator.
• Respond to financial and administrative inquiries.
• Approve requisitions (consultant contracts, supplies, expenditures).
• Authorize payments and sign checks.
• Supervise local staff at the office in the Rio de Janeiro.

• Other responsibilities
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of the Department of International Law.

qualifications:

 

Education & Experience :  
 

Essential:  Juris Doctor or First University Degree (Bachelor’s) in Law, International Law or other related field issued by a duly accredited institution and 7 years of experience in similar positions, progressively responsible experience in the field of law as applicable to the area of work at the national and/or international level OR Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in one of the fields listed above issued by a duly accredited institution and 4 years of relevant experience OR Doctorate and 1 year of experience. Membership/good standing in a Bar/Lawyer association.

Desirable:  Experience or knowledge of the OAS mandates and priorities as related to the area of work and/or the dynamics of the Inter-American agenda and system.

Languages:

 

Essential –  Proficient knowledge of the language of the duty station (Portuguese) and knowledge of another of the official languages of the Organization: Spanish, French, English (read, write and communicate).

Desirable – Practical Knowledge of Spanish, French, and or English.

Language proficiency examination will be required.

Personal Competencies: Client Orientation, Knowledge Sharing, Teamwork, Interpersonal Skills, Managing and Coaching Staff, Strategic Planning, Encouraging Innovation, and Decision Making/Judgment. Ability to clearly communicate in the languages required for the post.  

The GS/OAS embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. Thus, the GS/OAS, in accordance with its rules and regulations, is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, achieving a diverse staff, and will take into account a wide geographic representation, as well as gender equity and equality, in the selection of candidates.

Please note that the mandatory retirement age for staff members at the General Secretariat of the OAS is 65 years.