Company Description

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter – fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

Job Description

Introduction

Do you have proven skills and experience in practising commercial/contract law, in particular in France or Switzerland? Are you keen to work in the Legal Service of one of the world’s leading scientific intergovernmental organisations? Then, we invite you to join our dynamic Legal Service team at CERN! Here, you will be part of a collaborative, high-performing environment where excellence and teamwork drive everything we do. Take part!

You will join the Legal Service, which, reporting to the Director-General, provides legal support for the execution of CERN’s mission within its applicable legal framework.

Functions

Working under the responsibility of the Head of the Operational Law section of the Legal Service, you will provide legal support to the Organization primarily in commercial and administrative law matters and exchanges with CERN’s Host States (Switzerland and France) regarding its next flagship project. You will perform your duties at CERN’s headquarters outside Geneva, under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel.

In particular, working with your colleagues in the Legal Service team and across the Organization, you will:

• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts and provide legal support on commercial claims and disputes;
• Provide legal support with respect to major civil engineering works in CERN’s Host States;
• Advise and, as needed, defend the Organization in commercial and contractual disputes, including in adjudication and arbitration proceedings on civil engineering projects;
• Provide support to the Institutional Law section and others within the Organization, when needed, in exchanges with CERN’s Host States concerning your assigned domains;
• Interact with a broad range of interlocutors, both internally and externally, including the authorities of CERN’s Host States, at both local and national levels.

In addition to your core functions, you may be assigned work in other legal domains.

Qualifications

Master’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of private law or commercial law or a related field.

Experience:

Required experience

• Extensive professional experience as a lawyer practicing commercial and contract law in France and/or Switzerland, with expertise in negotiating and drafting contracts;
• Demonstrated experience with civil engineering contracts and/or major project agreements and the diverse matters such projects entail;
• Demonstrated experience in commercial dispute resolution;

Desired experience:

• Experience in negotiating in a national or international context, ideally with government actors;
• Proven experience in administrative law and processes within CERN’s Host States, combined with a strong ability to engage and interact with diverse interlocutors on administrative matters, including local and national authorities, external advisers, and in-house policy officials.

Technical competencies:

• Knowledge of contract law and private law;
• Knowledge of French and/or Swiss law;
• Legal drafting, including drafting of commercial documents for contracts as well as drafting of documents for commercial claims or disputes;
• Ability to exchange and, where necessary, negotiate with CERN’s Host State authorities.

Behavioural competencies:

• Working in teams: understanding when teamwork is required to achieve the best results; including others accordingly and sharing information.
• Managing self: working well autonomously; taking on activities and tasks without prompting.
• Achieving results: delivering high quality work on time and fulfilling expectations.
• Communicating effectively: expressing opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner; keeping to the point; demonstrating a pro-active approach to resolving differences; addressing issues of conflict constructively.
• Demonstrating flexibility: adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements.

Language skills:

• Excellent spoken and written French.
• Very good command of English, including demonstrated drafting skills.

Additional Information

Eligibility and closing date:

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than November 18th, 2024 by 23:59.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: DG-LS-OL-2024-154-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Legal Adviser