JOB VACANCY: DIRECTOR, LEGAL AFFAIRS & INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe
Position: DIRECTOR, LEGAL AFFAIRS & INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Reports To: DIRECTOR GENERAL
Job Type: Contract
Available Slots: 1
Application Deadline: 29 June 2023
Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term contract of five (5) years (renewable, only once subject to satisfactory performance)
Nationality: To be eligible for appointment, candidates must be nationals of a Member State of the Organization.
Job Purpose
Direct the formulation and implementation of the legal affairs and international cooperation and communications strategy. Provide company secretarial and advisory services to the organs of ARIPO i.e., Council of Ministers, Administrative Council, subsidiary Committees, Board of the Appeal, and the Secretariat. Manage all legal aspects in respect to the depositary functions of the ARIPO administered treaties on Intellectual Property.
Key Result Areas
• Legal Affairs, International Cooperation and Communications Strategy
• Review of the ARIPO Legal Framework
• Diplomatic Engagements
• International Cooperation
• Corporate Governance and Advisory
• Organizational Communications
• Performance Management
Principal Duties
1. Define and execute the legal affairs & international cooperation and communications strategies in alignment with the larger organizational goals.
2. Develop the framework to complement wider strategies and related implementation plans to increase the Organization’s membership.
3. Manage international affairs, Member State relations and institutional partnerships.
4. Monitor and analyze ARIPO strategic initiatives and policies and present legal analysis and briefings.
5. Champion and lead the review and simplification of the ARIPO Legal Framework for ease of doing business.
6. Analyze strategies and initiatives to exploit business growth opportunities in terms of the ARIPO administered treaties on intellectual property (IP) from a legal standpoint.
7. Ensure substantive accuracy and legal compliance of existing and proposed legal instruments, IP protocols and policies or amendments thereto.
8. Lead engagements with Member States on harmonization of IP Laws.
9. Lead assessment of the internal capacity and due diligence for partnerships, cooperation, and resource mobilization initiatives with relevant International Organizations and Cooperating Partners.
10. Provide oversight over the development, implementation, and review of Memoranda of Understanding with current and potential Member States and Cooperating Partners.
11. Represent the Organization in external engagements by fostering continuous and close cooperation with relevant International Organizations and Cooperating Partners.
12. Advise on all protocol and diplomatic requirements on high-level missions and official visits.
13. Champion the delivery of company secretarial services to the organs of ARIPO i.e., Council of Ministers, Administrative Council, subsidiary Committees, Board of the Appeal, and Secretariat.
14. Ensure comprehensive planning, on time delivery and exceptional execution of the proceedings of the Governing Bodies of the Organization, while managing contingencies, changes and evolving needs and expectations.
15. Oversee the development and implementation of communications, and public affairs strategies to raise the profile and visibility of ARIPO on the continent and beyond.
16. Ensure the substantive accuracy of pertinent legal information disseminated to the organization’s stakeholders.
17. Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, and effective utilization of the Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System ensuring that aligned KPIs are in place for the achievement of directorate goals.
18. Cascade the directorate scorecard into executable deliverables for all positions within the directorate and oversee periodic reporting for incorporation into ARIPO performance report.
Qualification and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Law;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law; and
• 10 years’ relevant experience, 7 years of which must be at senior management level.
• Experience in the Intellectual Property field is an added advantage
• A Master’s Degree in Business Administration is also an added advantage.
Competencies and Skills required
• Subject Matter Expertise in legal drafting, legal opinion development, and contract drafting.
• Sound knowledge of international, regional, and bilateral instruments concerning IP.
• Thought leader in legal and international cooperation strategy, corporate governance, and change management.
• Adept in stakeholder engagement, relationship building and reporting.
• Mastery in negotiation, analytical, and arbitration skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a highly diverse teams, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, and ability to exercise sound judgment and make significant decisions.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with excellent negotiation skills.
Conditions Of Employment
Salary and allowances on first appointment shall be those applicable to Grade D1 Step 1 of the ARIPO salary scales of the professional category.
Base Salary: US$71,545 per annum.
Post Adjustment Allowance: 50.8% of base salary (This depends on the rise and fall in value of the United States dollar).
Dependency Allowances: US$1,800 per year for a dependent child. Maximum number of children three (3).
Other benefits include:
• Payment of travel and removal expenses;
• Once-off installation grant;
• Education grant of US$9,000 per year for each eligible dependent child up to a maximum of three children;
• Housing allowance;
• Contributory medical aid scheme;
• 30 days annual leave; and
• Paid home leave every two years.
Medical examination: The appointment is subject to a satisfactory United Nations type medical examination to be conducted by an ARIPO nominated medical practitioner.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.