Legal Affairs Officer - P3

COMESA - Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

Lusaka, Zambia

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To support the Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs/Legal Counsel in the provision of legal advisory and other support services to the organs of the Common Market, Member States, Institutions and specialized Agencies of COMESA, the office of COMESA Secretary General and the COMESA Secretariat

MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Director Legal and Corporate Affairs/Legal Counsel and the overall supervision of the Secretary General, the incumbent of the post shall, inter alia, support the Legal Counsel to perform the following duties:

Provide legal advisory services on institutional and corporate legal issues arising from the interpretation and application of COMESA Treaty, Protocols, Charters, and related legal instruments governing the work of COMESA;
Review, negotiate, and prepare contracts for the acquisition of goods and services for the Secretariat and selected institutions of COMESA, including consulting and professional services, intellectual property rights, technology and other products, in accordance with COMESA Procurement Rules and Financial Regulations and provide legal advice and opinions on issues arising out of such activities;
Prepare legal documents for litigation, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution and other administrative proceedings including internal administrative review and appeal and tribunal proceedings and other matters in which COMESA or its institutions are a party or may have an interest;
Provide legal support services in the negotiation and finalization of legal instruments including drafting of legislative instruments of COMESA under the authority of Article 10 of the Treaty:
Provide legal support services in dealing with administrative and human resources management matters of the Secretariat and selected Institutions, including the drafting, reviewing and amending of all contracts and legal documents and issuance of legal opinions on all legal questions relating to administrative and personnel matters;
Provide legal services to the Secretariat including certification or notarization of copies of legal documents’;
Manage the Legal Depository;
Coordinate the implementation of the COMESA Migration Program;
Coordinate the COMESA Intellectual Property Rights Programme; and
Undertake any other related tasks that may be assigned by his/her superiors from time to time.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree in International Trade Law or Commercial Law or its equivalent. A post graduate degree will be an added advantage. Admission to the Bar of a Member State and licence to practice law is a must.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Minimum of eight (8) years of post-admission to the Bar and professional legal practicing experience

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Proven track record in Litigation;
Demonstrable experience in legislative drafting;
Strong legal analytical skills; and
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiations and research skills.

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE POSITION

Applicants must be proficient in English, or French, or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two (2) or all these languages will be an added advantage.