Staff Assistant (Legal)

NATO•United States of America, Norfolk, MA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Advisory Group (SAG) is comprised of different competencies grouped into several offices (Political Advisor, Legal Advisor, Gender Advisor, Financial Controller, Command Auditor, Communication Branch and Pentagon Liaison). It works under the direction and guidance of COS and provides general staff support, coordination, management, administrative service, and specialists’ advice to SACT. As part of the Staff Advisory Group, the Legal Affairs Office at HQ SACT has two main functions: 1. To organize, oversee, and provide for the delivery of legal services throughout Allied Command Transformation, including HQ SACT and subordinate activities at the Joint Warfare Centre (Norway), the Joint Force Training Centre (Poland), the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (Portugal) as well as the ACT Staff Element (Mons, BE) and SACTREPEUR (Brussels). 2. To provide advice, analyses and implementing documents to the Supreme Allied Commander and his headquarters staff and subordinate activities regarding the applicability of NATO policy and regulations and also international and national laws and regulations that affect the responsibilities, functions, and activities across ACT. As part of delivering under the 2030 Agenda, a significant increase of incoming and departing staff and dependents is anticipated, which will have a direct impact on the ability of the office to effectively support the staff members and their dependents.

Requirements

Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training which might lead to a formal qualification with 2 years experience, or Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 4 years post related experience.
Minimum two years’ experience of providing office support and performing administrative duties.
Two-four years’ experience as a Legal Assistant in a legal assistance environment involving direct problem-solving interaction with clients.
Experience conducting computer-based legal research.
Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, interpersonal and administrative skills.
Practical experience using modern office equipment.
Completion of post-secondary vocational training or education and certification as a legal assistant, or equivalent.
Eligibility for certification as a Notary Public for Commonwealth of Virginia.
English - SLP 3322 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with conducting research within NATO community to locate documents and publications.
High energy and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
Previous experience working at a large international organization, preferably in a joint or NATO environment.
Previous experience as a Notary.
Former military administrative or legal training/experience and knowledge of military command structures and organization.

Responsibilities

Serve as initial point of contact for legal assistance matters for staff personnel. Responsible for assisting clients or referring matters, as appropriate, to Section Head (Legal Liaison), Legal Advisor or other appropriate sources.
Perform general legal assistance duties for ACT staff and their dependents, such as explaining U.S. Federal and State laws and policies with respect to immigration, visa, customs, driver’s licenses, powers of attorney, vehicle registrations and related issues, visa renewals, and documentation for all U.S. Federal and State agencies. Prepare follow-up correspondence as required.
Provide notary services to authenticate and explain documents such as affidavits, depositions, leases and court documents from any U.S. Federal or State jurisdiction, as well as materials from international legal sources.
Review and process employment authorization documents (work permits), to include serving as the reviewing and endorsement agent for all NATO dependents in the United States. Liaise with U.S. Federal officials in resolution of all NATO dependent-related employment issues.
Interact with U.S. Federal and State officials and agencies as well as consumer agencies to resolve problems affecting command members. Propose recommendations and draft correspondence to Federal, State and consumer authorities in resolution of issues.
Monitor web sites of U.S. Federal and State agencies for policy changes potentially affecting Command personnel. Actively participate in discussions regarding effect on this HQ and its personnel; draft advisories announcing implementation of, or changes in, policy.
Conduct basic and computerized research of legal materials; analyze issues to formulate appropriate queries for computerized legal databases and draft summaries of research.
Support the administration of the Office of the Legal Advisor check-in process and individualized legal orientation for newly arrived personnel, providing information and guidance on insurance, visa status, banking, housing, employment, licenses, and other issues critical to establishing a household in the United States. Present Office of the Legal Advisor newcomer’s brief, as required.
Maintain and update information in the topical information sheets, the Legal Transition Series and related information published on the Office of the Legal Advisor web sites on the NSWAN and NUWAN.
Assist in the preparation of flag-level briefing and legal advisors’ presentations at international symposia, the NATO School and other significant fora.
Assist with office administration as needed, and provide administrative support as required by legal advisors.
Screen incoming calls, prepare correspondence in final form and perform routine office functions, to include oversight of office automation equipment.
In order for the Office of the Legal Advisor to deal with emergent requirements the incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed (in particular, the incumbent can expect to work as a member of Working Groups, Project Teams, etc. for defined periods of time).
The incumbent will function as Staff Assistant (Legal) and with the authority vested in the post, but will not hold any explicit legal authority.
The incumbent holds supporting function and will not have any authority to committing NATO to accountable actions.