Tsunami regional legal delegate

Vacancy No: 2008-274-fld

Purpose of position

Provide legal support to the delegations and national societies in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand and neighbouring countries

Key tasks and responsibilties

Legal Advice: Under technical supervision of Legal Counsel in Geneva, provide legal advice and support to management and staff on all legal matters, including the privileges and immunities of the IFRC, the formation of contracts and leases, the construction and maintenance of shelters and buildings, the personnel procedures and related administrative law matters which may give rise to staff claims and appeals, the purchase and sale of goods and services, the use and purchase of land, and others.

Cooperation with Host National Society : Ensure good co-operation with the Host National Societies (HNS); ensure that HNS interests are understood, their legal profile analyzed and their risks from IFRC mitigated as much as possible; provide advice when requested to the HNS on legal and risk matters; ensure that communication and collaboration with HNS Legal department is open and transparent; work together with the HNS to build the understanding and capacity of all Movement partners in legal and risk analysis and mitigation.

Risk Management :  Help ensure legal risk management of operational and administrative activities, make recommendations on the legal risks of proposed actions and recommend solutions to actions already taken to minimize financial loss or other loss to the organization.

Status Agreement :  Help ensure that all privileges and immunities are enforced and/or take proper steps to help assure the privileges and immunities granted in the Status Agreement (especially exemption from import duties and VAT) are implemented- consult with local legal counsel and assist in consultations with relevant Government Ministries, as necessary.  Coordinate with the delegates to help ensure that the obligations of the Federation under the Status Agreement and conditions of the privileges and immunities are complied with (especially as related to PNS delegates seconded to the Federation).  Conduct liaison with the local governmental authorities to help safeguard and facilitate the IFRC's right of operation.

Integration/Service Agreements :  When applicable, help ensure that each Participating National Societies (PNS) operational in country have signed an Integration/Service Agreement with the Federation and help ensure that they have signed an MoU with the HNS and that agreements and MoUs either conform with the existing legal standards in place and the rules and regulations applicable to Federation operations.  Provide advice as needed on the registration of delegates to ensure that proper legal steps are taken in this regards.  Help ensure that each delegate seconded to the Federation Delegation by a PNS pursuant to a service agreement has signed and is bound by the Federation policies and regulations (including Code of Conduct, security regulations, etc.).

Project Agreements/ Contractor and Construction Agreements/ Third party project Agreements/ Agreements with Government, Ministries, IOs, NGOs :  Develop model project agreement.  Draft, review, advise and approve each agreement for multilateral projects and provide assistance as appropriate for bilateral projects.  Use and adapt existing model agreement as appropriate.  Distribute the model for adaptation in each subsequent project.  Seek local legal advice on model agreement developed to ensure conformity with local laws when required.

Procurement/Logistics :  Advise on procurement contracts, purchase orders and tender processes, as requested.  As requested sit on Tender Board meetings at which bids are considered for Federation and/or PNS-¬funded projects.  Review files sent to the Committee on Contracts for approval.

Employment/Human Resources :  Monitor and follow up as necessary employment agreements (or a version in the same form) (These have been reviewed by a local legal counsel and a legal opinion has been delivered on the compliance with and enforceability under the national law).  Advise on local staff regulations and coordinate with HNS to harmonize salary and benefits of local staff contracted by the Federation and local staff contracted by the HNS and/or Federation.  Provide advice on any disciplinary or other employment related actions.

Others :  Solidify relationship with IFRC management and staff, HNS, PNSs and external partners.  Liaise with UN Agencies, ICRC, governmental and non governmental agencies and collaborate with them as appropriate on legal matters.  Formulate and monitor external communications to ensure legal conformity, clarity and concision.

Duties applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Secretariat's goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge
• Relevant University degree

Experience

• Experience of managing and supporting staff
• Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent preferred
• 3 years experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation or in a devlopping country
• Experience of the relevant region

Skills

• Self supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheet, wordprocessing)
• Valid international driving licence (manual gears)
• First Aid Training course
• Skills in training and developping staff

Languages

• Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English

• National Society relations
• Results focus and accountability
• Teamwork
• Communications
• Professional Mastery
• Leadership
• Managerial effectiveness