JOB DESCRIPTION

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau (LEB) undertake the international air law programme with a view to strengthening the international legal framework to address current and emerging civil aviation challenges effectively through the Chicago Convention, its Annexes and other air law instruments. LEB further provides advice and assistance on legal and external relations matters generally and in support of other Strategic Goals and Enablers of ICAO, and develops and implements the communications programme.

Pursuant to the ICAO Strategic Goal of International Civil Aviation Convention, other Treaties, Laws and Regulations Address All Challenges, LEB carries out two projects under the international air law programme: (i) promoting widespread ratification and implementation of international air law instruments, and (ii) facilitating the development of international air law instruments and guidance material in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. The Director of LEB serves as Secretary to the Legal Committee and LEB also supports various working groups, task forces and study groups in conducting research and study of subjects of international law, in particular, international air law. LEB provides comprehensive Secretariat support for the administration of the settlement of differences pursuant to Chapter XVIII of the Chicago Convention.

In supporting other Strategic Goals and Enablers of ICAO, LEB provides legal advice and opinions to the ICAO Member States, Governing Bodies, President of the Council and the Secretary General, and other ICAO Bureaus and Regional Offices on any issue of law, and in particular on international law and air law; reviews all agreements and contracts; participates in the system of administration of justice; and performs the treaty depositary and aeronautical arrangements registration functions of the Organization.

With regard to external relations matters, LEB is responsible for maintaining close and harmonious working relations with Member States; serving as focal point for the Organization’s relations with the Host Government; carrying out liaison and protocol functions; and monitoring and providing policy guidance and advice on current political events which might affect ICAO.

In terms of communications, LEB develops and implements a comprehensive communications programme and acts as the principal point of contact for all media-related activities.

The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Director of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau (DD/LEB) who will provide supervision including guidance on procedural matters, delegation and distribution of tasks, and decisions on priorities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

ICAO Legal Committee

Provide Secretariat support to items of the Work Programme of the Legal Committee of this Organization, with duties to include:

• Assist in the research and study of the Study Group on Legal Issues related to Pilotless Aircraft; Prepare documents for discussions in the group and subgroups; Draft summary reports of the group and subgroups.
• Assist in the research and study of the item entitled “Legal review of the analysis completed by the Air Transport Regulation Panel of the Application of Article 15 of the Chicago Convention”; Prepare Term of Reference of a group; Assist in establishing a group; Prepare documents for meeting discussions; Draft summary reports of the meetings; Draft Working Paper to on the subject to the Legal Committee.
• Assist in the item of “Processes and procedures for States to fulfil their obligations under Article 12 of the Chicago Convention”; Prepare documents for discussions in the Task Force and its subgroups; Draft summary reports of the Task Force and subgroup meetings; Draft Working Paper on the subject to the Legal Committee.
• Assist in the item of “Study of international legal issues relating to global satellite systems and services supporting international air navigation services”; Prepare State survey questionnaire; Conduct analysis and prepare draft report of the State survey; Draft report of the item to the Legal Committee.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

Interactions with External Parties

Provide support and advice on the implementation of the ICAO Policy and Administrative Instructions on Interactions with External Parties, with duties to include:

• Advise Bureaus and Offices of this Organization on the implementation of policies and administrative instructions on the interactions with external parties;
• Review agreements, arrangements and other instruments to which this Organization is a party;
• Support negotiations of this Organization with external parties;
• Provide legal support to the Committee on Cooperation with External Parties of the ICAO Council;
• Support the review and overhaul of the regulations, rules, procedures, administrative instructions and policies of this Organization.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Legal Research and Study

Conduct legal research on a diverse range of issues in law, achieving results such as:

• Provide accurate and up-to-date information relating to the areas of research;
• Collect relevant data, practices, procedures and usage relevant to the legal work of the Organization;
• Analyse, if necessary, the views and positions of States, international organizations and other entities on a particular issue;
• Conduct relevant case law research and prepare legal briefs.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Legal Advice and Opinion

Assist in providing legal advice to the various bodies of the Organization and to the Member States, achieving results such as:

• Prepare timely and appropriate replies to correspondence, enquiries, inter-office memoranda and other requests having legal implications;
• Draft legal opinions or legal memoranda on questions which may arise in the various bodies of the Organization, including questions concerning the interpretation of the Chicago Convention and the Annexes thereto, as well as other international air law instruments;
• Facilitate negotiations and meetings requiring legal advice or expertise;
• Prepare draft replies to correspondence from States, other international organizations and individuals.

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Educational background

An advanced level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in Law, including international law, air law, or related field is required.

Professional experience and Knowledge

Essential

• A minimum of three years’ experience or more in the practice of aviation law and international law, of which at least two years should have been in the service of a national government, international organization, civil aviation regulatory body.
• Experience in the analysis and drafting of legal opinions and instruments.
• Experience in conducting legal research using diverse research sources (including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases).
• Experience in reviewing and synthesizing legal information and presenting findings and recommendations in a required format.
• Experience in assisting with negotiations with government and multinational organizations.
• Knowledge of the aviation industry and related activities.
• Knowledge of international affairs, including knowledge of diplomatic privileges and immunities

Desirable

• Familiarity with the objectives and procedures of international organizations, preferably including ICAO.

Language Skills

Essential

• Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.

Desirable

• A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Legal consultants are held to the highest ethical standards and are required to sign a Code of Conduct upon acceptance of the assignment.

The selected consultant is expected to be employed on a full-time basis over a 12-month period, amounting to a maximum of 250 days’ work in that period with a possibility of an extension.

Please note that the daily rate for Band B varies from CA$ 248 to CA$ 392.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ICAO”s e-Recruitment website at: ICAO Career Website

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES

ICAO does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the selection process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICAO are fraudulent and should be disregarded.