Specialist – Commercial & Economic Law

ABOUT IDLO
The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law..
To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter@IDLO.

BACKGROUND
IDLO provides technical legal assistance and supports capacity development of legal professionals and the judiciary on economic and commercial law, IP law, and issues relating to trade and investment. In the context of its forthcoming Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 IDLO is seeking to expand and strengthen its work in this area, including developing innovative legal approaches to promote economic opportunity for SMEs, women and marginalized groups. A recent review of IDLO’s work in the area of economic and commercial identified the potential for new programs on commercial and economic law and legal reforms including micro-finance, resolution of commercial disputes, enforcement of decisions, alternative dispute resolution and arbitration.

THE POSITION
Working in a matrix management and shared resources environment, the Specialist - Commercial & Economic Law, provides technical expertise, policy and programming advice to teams in the Department of Global Initiatives, and the Department of Programs. S/he supports the identification of best practices and the formation of cross-functional teams around initiatives and also contributes to thought leadership and policy advocacy activities, led by the Department of Research & Learning.

The Department for Global Initiatives drives the program strategy and program development through identifying global trends. It contributes to IDLO’s thought leadership role, develops innovative projects and optimizes IDLO’s work by linking program strategy to thought leadership and best practices in the design of programming. It supports the formulation of policies in line with IDLO’s Strategic Plan by following and responding to global trends on the rule of law and justice.

Under the general supervision of the Director for Global Initiatives and working in close cooperation with the Department of Programs and the Department of Research and Learning, the incumbent will perform the following main duties:

Identify key trends, develop an organizational strategy and find distinct areas where IDLO can intervene as a leader, innovator, and pioneer in the development and delivery of programs as well as in thought leadership, knowledge generation, and policy activities at national, regional and global levels;

• Map out programming opportunities for IDLO at national or regional levels through consultations with external and internal stakeholders and analysis of IDLO's comparative advantage;
• Contribute to the development of new programs or expansion of existing ones, incorporating innovative approaches into program design when appropriate, integrating substantive and technical inputs into the preparation of proposals, concept notes, reports, etc.;
• Review and advise on project proposals to ensure consistency with the Organization’s Strategic Plan as well as compatibility with regional, sub-regional, and national contexts;
• Provide support and assistance to program implementation activities, including monitoring for quality, regular field visits, and analyzing program reports and related documentation;
• Ensure a gender dimension to IDLO’s work on economic and commercial law, aligning work in this area with IDLO’s Gender strategy;
• Develop alliances and partnerships with relevant governments, donors, multilateral organizations, the private sector and others to allow IDLO to scale up and diversify its programs in the field of commercial and economic law;
• Support resource mobilization activities with external stakeholders and donors to effectively maintain or enhance existing relationships for the benefit of the organization, and actively participate in advancing new donor and stakeholder partnerships;
• Develop and leverage networks, alliances, and partnerships with relevant governments, multilateral organizations, NGOs and civil society organizations, universities, think-tanks, and others for the purposes of increasing IDLO’s outreach, knowledge and visibility;
• Contribute to thought leadership and policy dialogue through research, publications, active engagement with networks and partners, and participation in conferences and other meetings;
• Provide input into institutional and project communications in the area of economic and commercial law, including websites, social platforms, marketing materials, prepare analytical reports, briefing notes, background papers, talking points, etc. as may be required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Professional Experience

• Post graduate degree in economics or law, with a strong focus on commercial and economic law.
• Minimum of 10 (ten) years of progressively responsible experience at the international level in managing or designing strategies and programs related to commercial law.
• Significant expertise in developing/emerging economies.
• In depth knowledge of commercial law, including arbitration, resolution of commercial disputes, enforcement of decisions.
• Good understanding of international and regional/sub-regional economic organizations, and legal and development experts in this field of expertise. The candidate is expected to bring a consolidated network of partners and stakeholders in the area of expertise.
• Field experience least developed or developing countries an added advantage.

Languages

• Professional oral and writing skills in English is essential. Knowledge of Spanish, French, Russian or Arabic is an advantage.

Specific technical and behavioral competencies

• Track record of publications in the area of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing strategies and field projects in the area of expertise.
• Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills.
• Proficient in standard industry technology, including Microsoft Office and related software.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Proven ability to develop and foster working relationships across a globally based organization; Strong interpersonal skills and able to deal with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to take initiative, share and communicate ideas.
• Openness to change and ability to work under pressure.
• Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in multi-cultural and matrix management settings.
• Self-motivated, hands-on and solution oriented professional; able to function effectively in a rapidly changing and dynamic work environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field, including post-conflict countries.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The annual salary level for this fixed-term professional staff, internationally recruited, position is in the range of € 71,000.- as per IDLO’s salary scale and according to qualifications and experience, plus other admissible allowances such as education, housing, relocation and home leave.

The compensation is net of tax. IDLO offers competitive compensation and benefit package, subsidized health insurance coverage including life insurance, medical and dental through Cigna to the staff member and all eligible dependents. Eligible staff member are also entitled to IDLO Provident Fund where IDLO contributes 14% of the staff member’s base salary.

HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via our website www.idlo.int/jobs and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter.
IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is 24 July 2016