Roster of consultants - Internal Justice

Purpose of consultancy

Consultant will support with technical and legal work of the HPJ (Internal Justice) team.

Background

The HR Consultant (Internal Justice) (“Consultant”) will work within the Human Resources Policy Coordination and Internal Justice (HPJ) of the Human Resources Talent Management Department (HRT). HPJ is responsible, inter alia, for the preparation of advice on internal disciplinary matters, administrative review and representation of the Organization in appeals before the Global Board of Appeal, as well as for human resources policies. The Consultant will provide technical expertise to the work of HPJ (IJ).

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations’ system. WHO has 194 Member States and more than 7000 people working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at headquarters in Geneva.

Within HRT, HPJ is responsible for the development of WHO's human resource management policies reflecting organizational needs and best practice. HPJ (Internal Justice) provides advisory services to the Organization, with a view to ensuring consistent and equitable policy application.

Against this background, HPJ (Internal Justice) team provides legal support in the operations and implementation of legally sound, fair and effective human resources management across all three levels of the Organization, particularly with respect to the Administration's response to requests for administrative review, appeals before the Global Board of Appeal (GBA), and disciplinary cases. Additionally, it provides legal support in the development and application of human resources polices processes and statutory provisions

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Manager, HPJ (Internal Justice) and support the HPJ (Internal Justice) team composed of seven lawyers.

Work plan

Manager HPJ (Internal Justice) will provide assignments to the consultants related to the internal justice system and will discuss with them the work plan before the commencement of the consultant contract. This will include: an outline of the work schedule; regular reports on progress at agreed dates; and dates for deliverables.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Manager, HPJ (Internal Justice), the consultant will produce the following deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Provide technical expertise to the work of HPJ (Internal Justice) with the contribution to administrative review drafts, replies, surrejoinders and other submissions in relation to administrative review request and appeals filed before the GBA by WHO staff members (and by staff of WHO-related entities, such as UNAIDS and UNICC).

Expected by: The tasks will need to be conducted within two weeks (14 days) from their assignment.

• Deliverable 2: Facilitate the work of HPJ (Internal Justice) by conducting legal research and analysis. In particular, the consultant will review the applicability of legal precedents from the ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) jurisprudence, and related case law from the GBA on the implementation of the Organization's policies and procedures, and conducts other legal research in order to provide input on proposed legal actions.

Expected by: The legal research and analysis will need to be conducted within three days from their assignment.

• Deliverable 3: Provide technical expertise to the work of the Office of the Legal Counsel/International Administrative Law (LEG/IAL) through the review investigation reports involving staff misconduct and any other legal issues related to the internal justice system and Internal Justice with a view to assisting the Manager, HPJ (Internal Justice) in the preparation of legal advice for senior management.

Expected by: The legal research and analysis will need to be conducted within one week (7 days) from their assignment.

• Deliverable 4: Provide technical expertise by drafting internal communications and memoranda and assist in the preparation of the submissions in connection with disciplinary cases (i.e., charge letters, administrative leave letters, disciplinary letters).

Expected by: The legal research and analysis will need to be conducted within three days from their assignment.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in law.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 5 years of relevant experience in internal law with a focus on law of international organizations including administrative law.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Excellent skills in researching and writing (in English)
• Ability to work with utmost discretion in handling highly sensitive and confidential matters
• Excellent organizational skills and in solving problems
• Ability to work under pressure and under tight deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Languages and level required

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of French.

Location

Offsite: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration

Band level B: USD 7,000 - USD 9,980 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

N/A

Expected duration of contract

4 months

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to E-Mail schreiben

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at E-Mail schreiben.
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