Legal Adviser / Director

Provides authoritative legal advice and strategic leadership for UNESCO’s Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs. The Director leads the Office’s legal, regulatory and standard-setting work, manages its resources and represents the Director-General on legal matters before governing bodies.

• Advise on legal issues arising from UNESCO activities and governing bodies
• Guide the development and revision of international standard-setting instruments
• Interpret and advise on the UNESCO Constitution and statutory texts
• Direct legal briefs for proceedings before courts and tribunals
• Represent the Director-General on legal committees of governing bodies
• Lead the Office’s activities, resources and cooperation with other units

• Advanced university degree in law with specialisation in public international law
• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible legal experience
• Senior management or executive experience
• Experience providing legal advice on complex international and national law
• Experience leading diverse teams and organisational transformation
• Excellent drafting skills in English or French and ability to work in the second language

• International-level management experience
• Complex diplomatic negotiation experience
• UN system or international-organisation experience

• International Law
• Legal Advice
• Standard-setting
• Legal Drafting
• Strategic Leadership
• Organisational Management
• Change Management
• Negotiation
• Governance
• Team Leadership

• Fixed-term contract: 2 years, renewable