Equality
Inclusion
Respect

Legal Officer (Institutional Matters)

Salary £69,175 pa + benefits
Location London
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}

This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

The vacancy

We have an excellent opportunity for a Legal Officer, to work within the Governance and Peace Directorate (GDP). The GPD is responsible for the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance within the Commonwealth.

 

The Legal Officer will assist the General Counsel and the Deputy Legal Counsel in advising the Secretariat on legal questions arising in connection with the work of the Secretariat as an international organisation. Work may span privileges and immunities, international organisations law and international administrative law as well as relevant domestic laws of the UK as host country or of other Commonwealth jurisdictions. The job holder undertakes research and collaborates with colleagues across the Secretariat to draft legal documents, contributes to legal capacity-building initiatives and training and develop proposals for legal and policy analysis. Strong problem solving and communication skills, discretion and integrity are essential.

 

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

 

  • Qualified to practise law in a Commonwealth jurisdiction.
  • A Master’s degree in a relevant area of law from a recognised university would be desirable.
  • At least seven (7) years’ post-qualification experience in private legal practice, government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations or academia.
  • Demonstrated experience of providing legal advice and delivering practical solutions to clients and/or stakeholders through clear and user-friendly written and oral engagement, and of conducting research and preparing analysis on diverse legal issues and drafting legal documents.
  • Demonstrable experience of providing legal advice and delivering practical solutions to clients and/or stakeholders through clear and user-friendly written and oral engagement; conducting research and preparing analysis on diverse legal issues; and drafting legal documents.
  • Extensive experience in one or more of the following areas of law: commercial/contract, employment, finance, public sector or charity/not-for-profit, data protection, intellectual property or dispute resolution
  • Demonstrable understanding of public international law, private international law and international administrative law.

 

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policy making, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries.  We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

 

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

About us

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.

It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations.

Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.

Vision & mission

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace.

We:

  • are a voice for small and vulnerable states
  • champion young people
  • promote justice and human rights
  • address threats like climate change, debt and inequality
  • help grow economies and boost trade
  • support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies
  • help strengthen governance and build inclusive public institutions
  • provide technical help and training
  • send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems
  • provide systems, software and research for managing resources.

Our vision

To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values. 

Our mission

We support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.

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