Specialist - Economic and Commercial Law

Category: Professional Staff

Duty Station: The Hague, The Netherlands

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLOnews.

THE POSITION

To respond to the evolving needs of countries in transition in the field of economic and commercial law, IDLO seeks to scale up its existing programming, gain a solid grip on emerging issues in these fields, and form strategic partnerships around them.

As part of its Management Plan for 2015, IDLO will both consolidate and expand the work on economic and commercial law in countries in transition including Central Asia and MENA region, in fields such as contract enforcement and enforcement of judgments, competition law, commercial regulations, registration of legal entities, mediation and resolution of commercial disputes, public procurement, intellectual property and technology transfer. To this end, the Specialist in Economic and Commercial law will focus on enhancing current programs and developing a strategy for new opportunities in these areas of expertise.

The Economic and Commercial law Specialist position is placed within IDLO’s Research & Learning Department. The Department drives knowledge generation and impact assessment across the organization. It contributes to IDLO’s thought leadership role, develops innovative research agendas and optimizes IDLO’s work by linking program strategy to thought leadership and best practices in the design and implementation of programming. It supports the formulation of policies in line with IDLO’s strategic plan by following and responding to global trends on the rule of law and justice, and by capturing lessons learned from IDLO’s own programming.

Working in a matrix management and shared resources environment, the Economic and Commercial law Specialist provides technical expertise, policy and programming advice on economic and commercial law to support IDLO’s overall program development, delivery, and thought leadership activities. The Economic and Commercial law Specialist supports the identification and sharing of best practices and lessons learned and the formation of cross-functional teams coalescing around initiatives and projects on economic law and trade.

Under the general supervision and coordination of the Director of Research & Learning and in close cooperation with the Director of Programs, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

 In line with the organization’s Strategic Plan, develop an organizational mapping / strategy in the thematic field of expertise, to position IDLO as a leader, innovator, and pioneer in the development and delivery of related programming as well as in thought leadership, knowledge generation, and policy activities;

 In collaboration with the Program Development Unit and the Programs Department, contribute to the development of new programs or expansion of existing ones; incorporating innovative approaches into program design when appropriate; integrating substantive and technical inputs into the preparation of proposals, concept notes, reports, etc.;

 Review and advise on project proposals to ensure consistency with the organization’s Strategic Plan as well as compatibility with regional, sub-regional, and national contexts;

 In collaboration with the Program Department, provide support and assistance to program implementation teams and activities, including monitoring for quality, regular field visits, and analyzing program reports and related documentation;

 Support the Head, Resource Mobilization with external stakeholders and donors to effectively maintain or enhance existing relationships to the benefit of the organization; actively participate, where possible, in advancing new donor and stakeholder partnerships;

 Develop and leverage the organization’s networks, alliances, and partnerships with relevant governments, multilateral organizations, NGOs and civil society organizations, universities, think-tanks, and others in the area of expertise, for the purposes of increasing IDLO’s visibility and participation in the international community as well as expanding its reach, capabilities, and capacity to develop and deliver world-class programming;

 Contribute to thought leadership and policy dialogue in fields of expertise through research, publications, active engagement with networks and partners, and attending conferences and other external meetings;

 Provide input into institutional and project communications media in the area of expertise, including websites, social platforms, marketing materials, etc.; prepare analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, talking points, etc. as may be required;

 Actively identify both internal and external clients to whom services are provided and seek to understand and address clients’ needs and expectations with effective and appropriate solutions; and

 Perform other similar duties as requested by the supervisor.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

 Post-graduate degree in development economics, trade and development is essential.

 Legal background / legal experience is required. Knowledge of program development and program management technique is an asset.

Work experience

 Minimum of 8 (eight) years of progressively responsible expertise in managing or designing commercial / trade law strategies and programs at the international level.

 Minimum of 5 (five) years of expertise in working with development issues and legal/justice issues, including in field situations. The candidate is expected to bring a consolidated network of partners and stakeholders in the area of expertise.

Languages

 Strong professional oral and writing skills in English is required. Knowledge of Russian or Arabic is desirable.

Technical competencies

 Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing commercial / trade law program strategies and field projects.

 Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills.

 Demonstrated ability to effectively use research methodologies,

 Proficient in utilizing standard industry technology, including Microsoft Office and related software.

Behavioural competencies

 Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a team environment;

 Strong interpersonal skills and able to deal with people of different cultural backgrounds;

 Ability to take initiative, share and communicate ideas;

 Openness to change and ability to work under pressure;

 Proven ability to develop and foster working relationships across a globally based organization;

 Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in multi-cultural and matrix management settings;

 Self-motivated, hands-on and solution oriented professional; able to function effectively in a rapidly changing and dynamic work environment;

 Ability and willingness to travel to the field, including post-conflict countries;

 Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate;

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The annual salary level for this fixed-term professional staff internationally recruited position is in the range of € 61,000 as per IDLO’s salary scale, and according to qualifications and experience, plus other admissible allowances such as education, housing, relocation and home leave.

The compensation is net of tax. IDLO offers competitive remuneration and benefit package: subsidized health insurance coverage including life insurance, medical and dental through Vanbreda/CIGNA International to the staff member and eligible dependents. Entitlement to the IDLO Provident Fund where IDLO contributes 14% of the staff member’s base salary.

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is 24 July 2015.

HOW TO APPLY:

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via our website www.idlo.int/jobs and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.