26.07.2011 OHR Sarajevo 2011/058

LEGAL ADVISOR FOR PUBLIC AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

LEGAL ADVISOR FOR PUBLIC AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

DEPARTMENT FOR LEGAL MATTERS

 

DUTY STATIONSarajevo

GRADE: 9

CONTRACT TYPE: National

 

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Office of the High Representative is entering its final phase of operations.  The Department for Legal Affairs of the OHR itself functions as a legal service for all other departments of the OHR and is the main source of authoritative legal advice to the High Representative on legal issues, in particular those involving the interpretation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (GFAP) as well as on other international and domestic law matters.  The Department for Legal Affairs provides specialist legal services in all areas of major importance to the High Representative and the Departments of the Office of the High Representative.

The role of the Department for Legal Affairs bears a particular weight of responsibility in light of the burden which is placed upon the High Representative under Article V of Annex 10 to the GFAP, as the final authority in theatre regarding interpretation of the Agreement on Civilian Implementation of the Peace Settlement. 

The Legal Advisor works with other Legal Advisors in the OHR Department for Legal Affairs. He/she will be responsible for formulating policies and/or co-ordinate activities related to constitutional questions related to the various fields covered by the Office of the High Representative. Among others, he will prepare analysis and recommendations on legal issues related the following fields:

  • Constitutional Law and/or Public Law matters including, among others, the distribution of constitutional competencies between the various levels of government in BiH, the functioning of institutions in BiH as well as all other questions related to Constitutional Law and Public Law;
  • Jurisprudence of the Constitutional Courts in BiH as well as comparative studies on constitutional and public law matters;
  • Matters related to the General Framework Agreement for Peace including questions related to the powers of the High Representative or other international organisations under said Agreement and international obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina under said agreement;
  • Matters related to Public International Law;
  • Other matters as necessary and as decided by the Head of Department for Legal Affairs.

The Legal Advisor shall be required to provide advice to other international agencies operating in BiH and to BiH’s government and judicial bodies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Coordinate all questions of constitutional law and/or public law on behalf of the Department for Legal Affairs;
  • Work together with the national authorities, and in particular officials within the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Participates, on behalf of the OHR, in working groups, initiated in and outside of OHR;
  • Cooperate with and provide strategic legal advice to Government officials at State, Entity and Cantonal level on matters falling within the field of responsibility;
  • Work with and advise civilian organizations and agencies in BiH in his/her field of responsibility and, in particular, participate in the coordination with relevant multilateral organizations and EU Agencies to determine consistent strategies concerning his/her field of responsibilities, and ensure the implementation of said strategies;
  • Advise OHR’s Principals on legal and strategic matters linked to the field of responsibility of the unit and draft letters, prepare background papers and talking points to that effect;
  • Attend and participates in meetings of the High Representative and his Principal Deputy when matters falling within his/her fields of responsibility are being discussed;
  • Review the agenda of various government and parliamentary bodies, to ensure that legislation which is put out is consistent with Dayton and the objectives behind developing the legislative framework for BiH;
  • Prepare and coordinate OHR’s response to challenges in front of domestic and international jurisdiction, in particular before the European Court on Human Rights and the BiH Constitutional Court;
  • Answer questions of Public International Law, as directed by the Head of the Department;
  • In house co-ordination on issues within the field of responsibilities and in house legal advise;
  • Other tasks as assigned by the Head of Department for Legal Affairs.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Law Degree;
  • Have at last 8 years of relevant professional experience;
  • Excellent drafting skills with very good written and spoken English, including knowledge of legal terminology and ability to draft legal documents;
  • Experience with or knowledge of other legal systems and norms;
  • Sound knowledge of the BiH Constitutional and Legal system, including excellent command of the case law of the Constitutional Courts in BiH;
  • Sound knowledge of international law;
  • Relevant experience in an organisation involved in the implementation of the GFAP is an asset;
  • Mature judgement and flexible;
  • Computer literate;
  • Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision, and to operate as a part of a team;

Any person with the above qualifications should provide (in English) a CV with a one-page cover letter and references to the following:

Personnel
Office of the High Representative
Emerika Bluma 1, 71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fax: +387 (0) 33 283 771
E-mail: application@ohr.int

 
 
Reference number: 2011/058
 
Closing date for applications: 03 August 2011
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

No telephone inquiries please