LEGAL OFFICER FOR BUSINESS LAW REFORM

Duty station:             Sarajevo

Contract type:           International

Grade:                        8

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION

Under the overall direction of the Head of Department for Legal Affairs, Legal Officer will work as part of a small team of lawyers specializing in commercial law who together form the business law unit within the Legal Department of the Office of the High Representative. Due to the fact that peace keeping issues often give rise to problems of a multi-disciplinary nature which may range over a number of areas, Legal Officer will be expected to work periodically as part of a larger Legal Department team with lawyers who formally comprise the civil and commercial or environmental units contained within the Legal Department and to work in consultation and liaison with other departments and regional offices of the Office of the High Representative as required. In general, Legal Officer will help the Legal Department play a key part in the provision of specialist legal services in all areas of law of major importance to the High Representative and the Departments of the Office of the High Representative.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general supervision of the Head of Legal Department, international Legal Officer for Business Law Reform is expected to contribute to the development of legal positions concerning all matters within the responsibility of the OHR Legal Department:

·     Serve as OHR focal point to provide guidance and expertise commercial law development and legislation; transformation and private sector development;

·     Carry out commercial law reform assignments both at the level of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina and at the level of the Entities of BiH, including but not limited to improving the legal and regulatory framework concerning: privatization and market economy; transition, good corporate governance, procurement, and business registration;

·     Utilize legal opportunities to enhance a business legal and regulatory climate supportive of private sector development and stimulation of entrepreneurship;

·     As assigned, carry out research and drafting of, and provide advice on legal matters related to the implementation of, commercial laws related to the above;

·     Provide legal support to economic development as a cross-cutting theme in the overall OHR strategy, work in close cooperation and support to Economic departments on legal matters that fall within the scope of OHR economic reform agenda;

·     Maintain consultation and liaison with other OHR departments as appropriate;

·     Maintain close link with local authorities and international organizations on the above mentioned subjects;

·     Provide accurate and well informed advice to OHR principals, donors and key governmental counterpart on the full range of commercial law issues, with particular emphasis on both policy reforms and implementation;

·     Take part as appropriate in all aspects of the Decision making process of the Office of the High Representative including, as required, research, drafting, advising, vetting and editing of the same. Such Decision may include those in relation to removal and suspension within the contest of the General Framework Agreement and its later interpretation in Peace Implementation Council meeting conclusions.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

·     Post-graduate academic degree in Law; with specialization in Business Law, International Trade law, or related subject;

·     Strong intellectual and conceptual skills needed to develop strategies to overcome legal, regulatory and operating constraints, as needed to accomplish OHR goals and objectives;

·     At least 5 years of practical legal experience in relevant field, to include legislation drafting and policy analysis;

·     Relevant working experience in issues regarding Central and Eastern European transition to a free market economy, particularly as regards Bosnian economic and political development;

·     Be a pragmatic self-starter; with ability to recognize and exploit opportunities for positive change in areas assigned;

·     Expatriate experience and proven ability to work within an international cross-disciplinary team;

·     Strong writing, research and organizational skills;

·     Computer literacy;

·     Good command of English – both spoken and written – as a working language.

Any person with this overall professional profile who wishes to be considered for the position should submit (in English) a CV and one page cover letter with references to:

Personnel Department

Office of the High Representative

Emerika Bluma 1, 71 000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Fax: ++387 33 283 771; E-mail: application@ohr.int

 

Reference No. 2003/175 must be quoted

Closing date for applications: 

 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

No telephone inquiries please