Job Description

Job Title: Senior Legal – Dispute settlement (AfCFTA)

Purpose of Job

Provides to resolve disputes in a professional, effective, and efficient way, having regard for the law, policies, procedures, and good practice.

Main Functions

• Manage end-to-end casework and new matters involving a different kinds of disputes
• Assist with the effective management of variable complaint demand by being flexible using a range of dispute resolution processes for high productivity output
• Provide independent information about how to go about resolving their disputes
• Accurately record the details of a dispute and case management according to AU processes
• Identify key issues arising from a dispute, gather and analyze relevant information (both verbal and written) and decide whether a proposed outcome is in accordance with the law, good practice, and what is fair and reasonable given all the circumstances of the dispute
• Apply dispute resolution frameworks including conciliations and employ negotiation and problem-solving skills to facilitate the appropriate resolution of disputes
• Work with internal and external stakeholders
• Actively contribute to the responsive management of complaint demand and undertake other duties and tasks as and when required
• Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
• Ensure the creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities

• Serve as secretary to dispute settlement panels and arbitrators in the resolution of trade disputes between AfCFTA States Parties
• Ensure a dispute settlement process that is transparent, accountable, fair, predictable and consistent with the provisions of the AfCFTA Agreement
• Facilitate the resolution of disputes through conciliation, good offices, mediation and arbitration
• Plan and organise the work of the Division
• Assist and support dispute resolution panels and arbitrators, or members of the Appellate Body considering an appeal
• Provide substantive legal advice and research on legal, technical or procedural issues in dispute resolution or appeal proceedings
• Advise the Legal Directorate in the exercise of its functions on dispute resolution issues Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate Supervisor.

Qualification Required & Experience

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in international law (public international law, law of international organizations) with Twelve (12) years of relevant and progressively more responsible experience in the field of legal.
• Seven (7) of these years should be at senior management level and five (5) should involve a supervisory role

Required Skills

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
• high degree of independence, maturity and initiative
• ability to handle challenging questions and difficult stakeholders
• ability to manage time and prioritize work
• be flexible, adaptable and open to change
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage;

Location:  Accra