SECONDMENT - Assistant Director, Legal Support to Programmes

POST DESCRIPTION

Within the Executive Director Legal Affairs (EDLA) and under the supervision of the Director Legal Support to Operations (LOP), the incumbent will be responsible for managing legal support to police programmes, projects and operations, dealing with complex matters having implications for policy or strategy. This includes (but is not limited to) managing and coordinating: the legal advice provided to various business units on compliance of their initiatives with INTERPOL’s Constitution and rules, notably the Rules on the Processing of Data, as well as associated legal risks; the review of project proposals submitted to the consideration of the Senior Management Board; and the drafting and negotiation of cooperation agreements.

The Assistant Director works under the supervision of the Director, but has considerable autonomy while taking care to inform and advise the Director about matters of significance. The Assistant Director takes any necessary initiatives on behalf of the Director with regard to areas under his/her responsibility, and work collaboratively to ensure the smooth operation of activities.

The incumbent will also assist the Executive Director with other legal tasks and the administration of the Office.

PRIMARY DUTIES

DUTY 1: Managing Legal Support to Projects and Operations

• Manage and coordinate the legal aspects of the programmes, projects and operations under his/her responsibility and ensure successful delivery of legal support to the other Directorates of the General Secretariat and to the Organization's other governing bodies.
• Manage the Legal Support to Operations team.
• Assign, supervise, and ensure the quality and prompt delivery of the work of the lawyers and staff members assigned to the LSO. Carry out the annual assessment of those officials.
• May supervise the work of one or more members of the EDLA in the context of specific programs, projects, or tasks defined by the Director.

DUTY 2: Providing Legal Advice and Reporting

• On his/her own initiative, draft and finalize appropriate legal advice on the projects for which he/she is responsible, taking account of the general policy of the Executive Directorate Legal Affairs, the internal rules and regulations of the Organization and the relevant international law.
• Monitor developments in international law and national law such as data protection law that may impact the operations and functions of the Organization.
• Draft or supervise the drafting of correspondence, reports, draft rules and other documents for the Organization's governing and supervisory bodies (General Assembly, Executive Committee, Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files) or other entities outside the Organization.
• Monitor and make any necessary proposals or developments in international law, international police and law enforcement cooperation, and any other relevant areas that relate to or impact the work of the Sub-Directorate, the EDLA or the mission and activities of the Organization.
• Provide sound, timely, and pragmatic legal advice to police units and projects. Ensures that legal advice is consistent with the Organization’s Constitution, paying close attention to Articles 2 and 3, the Rules for Processing Data, and any other relevant legal texts and principles. Provide advice that respects the international nature of the Organization’s mission within the constraints of the Organization’s legal authority and status.

DUTY 3: Negotiating Agreements with External and Internal Stakeholders

• Develop a legal framework to govern the General Secretariat’s cooperation and partnership agreements with external stakeholders.
• Lead all negotiations with external and internal stakeholders resulting in the finalization of appropriate agreements/policies with all stakeholders.

DUTY 4: Assisting with Litigation and Participate in International Meetings

• Organize and convene internal and/or external meetings related, for example, the Committee for Processing Data.
• Maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with fellow managers and the staff of other sub-directorates in the EDLA. Attend and actively participate in senior management meetings, and contribute to the overall smooth management and operation of the Directorate.
• Represent the Office within the Organization and maintain strong collaborative relationships with other units. Maintain cordial and collaborative relationships with the member country National Central Bureaus, representatives of member countries and international organizations.
• Assist the Director as needed with the oversight and direction of the external litigation functions, including all phases of litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution-related matters. Advise on litigation strategy, policy, and individual cases as needed and as assigned.
• At the request of the Director, attend international conferences and meetings, speak and negotiate on the Organization's or the Directorate's behalf, taking account of the general policy of the EDLA. Represent the Director, as requested, during meetings organized by INTERPOL and before the Organization's governing bodies.
• May be required, on occasion, to stand in for the Director.

DUTY 5: Perform any other duties as required by the hierarchy.

REQUIREMENTS

All candidates will be assessed on the under mentioned requirements. Please only include professional experience for which you can provide official proof of employment (i.e. pay-slip indicating your functional title, work certificates, etc.). You could be asked to provide copies of such documents prior to interviews/tests. Any discrepancies found between the information stated in any of your application documents and the evidence of employment provided, will be considered misrepresentation and may lead to your disqualification from this selection procedure. This is especially important for your current and previous functional titles (they need to be exactly the same as the one in your contractual agreement), exact dates of employment, description of responsibilities and achievements, reason(s) for leaving and part-time work.