Legal Advisor

Pan American Health Organization • Washington, DC

5d • $86,027 • Onsite

About The Position

Join PAHO’s Office of Legal Counsel and play a key role in providing expert legal advice on complex international, administrative, and organizational matters. This position contributes to protecting the Organization’s legal interests and supporting sound decision-making across PAHO’s programs and operations.

Requirements

• A university degree from a recognized university and a master’s degree in law, international relations, political science or any other field related to the functions of the post.
• Licensed to practice law in a PAHO Member State.
• Nine years of combined national and international experience in law with a public international organization, governmental agency, and/or private practice, with emphasis on public international law, contracts, administrative law, technical cooperation agreements and comparative law, and including managerial experience.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems.
• Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.
• Extensive expertise in public international law, administrative law, commercial law, and legal frameworks applicable to international organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of comparative and international law, corporate law, corporate governance, litigation, and commercial legal practice.
• Strong ability to analyze complex legal and policy issues and present clear, well-reasoned legal opinions and recommendations.
• Proven capacity to provide strategic legal counsel and influence decision-making at senior management level.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop reports, presentations, policies, procedures, and other technical or persuasive legal documents.
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and partnership-building skills.
• Commitment to integrity, accountability, respect for diversity, and delivery of high-quality results.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative legal advice to Executive Management, PAHO/WHO Representatives, and Department Directors on complex legal issues affecting the Organization.
• Review, draft, and clear agreements, contracts, legal memoranda, and other legal instruments to ensure compliance with PAHO policies, rules, and procedures.
• Conduct legal research, analyze precedents, and provide legal opinions on matters involving national and international law, administrative law, and technical cooperation activities.
• Represent the Organization’s legal interests before Member States, external parties, and in organizational decision-making meetings, providing legal guidance on procedural and substantive matters.
• Provide legal support to administrative and operational areas, including human resources, procurement, and general services, and collaborate with legal counterparts in governments and international organizations.
• Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and support staff; develop legal procedures, guidelines, and background materials for committees and organizational bodies.

Benefits

• PAHO supports an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all applicants.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.
• Maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability.
• Promoting a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior.
• Providing a smoke-free environment.
• Protecting the people in the communities we serve.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior