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JOB
AND TASK DESCRIPTION

 

 

Job Title:           Legal Adviser (Oceans and
Natural Resources)  

 

Division:             Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources Directorate

 

Grade:               
F

                    

         

Reports
To:         Head, Oceans & Natural
Resources Section

 

Terms and Conditions

General Information

The Trade, Oceans and Natural
Resources (TONR) Directorate is one of the three Directorates of the
Commonwealth Secretariat. The Directorate brings together work in Trade Policy,
Competitiveness, Hub and Spokes, and Oceans and Natural Resources. TONR is
responsible for delivering on two strategic pillars:

 

•      
Sustainable and inclusive economic and social
development

•      
Climate-resilient and low-carbon development to
respond to climate and ocean emergencies

 

A significant part of the
Directorate’s work is of a consultancy and advisory nature, delivered through a
combination of in-house and external expertise.  

 

Oceans and Natural Resources (ONR)

ONR is responsible for delivering
key Commonwealth strategic mandates relating to sustainable oceans, energy and
natural resources. It supports the development efforts of member countries
through the provision of policy, legal, economic and environmental technical
assistance and capacity building in four core programme areas:

 

•      
The sustainable development and inclusive,
equitable and effective governance of natural
resources, including petroleum, minerals and broader energy sector reform.

•      
The sustainable governance and utilisation of
ocean space and resources, including the delimitation of maritime boundaries, the development of ocean governance frameworks, policies and regulatory regimes, and
the development of sustainable blue economies. 

•      
The Commonwealth
Blue Charter, supporting this Pan-Commonwealth agreement by Heads of
Government to work cooperatively on meeting their commitments to the
sustainable development and conservation of oceans (including SDG14),
implemented through ten country-led action groups.

•      
The Commonwealth
Sustainable Energy Transitions Agenda, a platform for collaborative action
amongst Commonwealth member countries towards a just and equitable energy
transition and accelerating achievement of SDG 7.  

 

 

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Oceans and Natural
Resources team for a legal adviser with expertise in extractives sector
governance. Reporting to the Head of ONR, the post-holder will provide legal
and policy advice to Commonwealth member country Governments, along with expert
research and analysis to support thought leadership. Advisers deliver work both
individually and as members of multidisciplinary advisory teams, either
bi-laterally or through multi-lateral projects.

In particular, the post-holder will be responsible for:

•          
taking direct responsibility for managing a
portfolio of natural resource projects with particular emphasis on petroleum
and mineral resource development;

•          
providing legal and policy advice in other areas
relevant to the work of ONR including land-based extractives, the energy
transition, and maritime sector development. 

 

The job involves overseas travel.

 

 

Task Description

 

The post-holder will:

 

•       
Provide advice on and assist member countries to
formulate policies for the facilitation and regulation of investments in
petroleum and mining sectors, including appropriate legislative, regulatory and
contractual frameworks relating to the focus areas by:

 

–       Conducting
reviews of policy, legislation, contracts and other regulatory instruments;

 

–       Consulting
with government officials and stakeholders on pertinent legal, policy and
related issues;

 

–       Preparing
written and oral advice and recommendations; 

 

–       Drafting
legislative instruments including statutes and contracts; 

 

–       instructing
and supervising the work of external consultants contracted by the Secretariat.

 

–       Developing
and delivering tailored capacity building initiatives for government and
multi-disciplinary teams.

 

•       
Analyse proposals, recommend negotiating
strategies and provide support to member government teams in negotiations with
investors involving complex policy, legal, fiscal and economic issues.

 

 

 

 

 

•       
As project leader, manage project execution by:

 

–       Defining
project parameters in response to official requests for assistance and
obtaining project approvals;

 

–       Managing
and reporting on project implementation and monitoring project performance;

 

–       Working
in multi-disciplinary project teams in the office and on mission;

 

–       Defining,
mobilising and supervising specialist legal, technical and other inputs to
projects made by external consultants, as required.

 

•       
Work with ONR colleagues to develop strategic
partnerships and initiatives with multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies in
relation to the focus areas and maintain contacts with senior government
officials, investors and other international agencies.

 

•       
Plan and undertake monitoring, evaluation and
learning activities to evidence progress of activities towards delivery of
outcomes within the Secretariat’s strategic plan.

 

•       
Support pan-Commonwealth initiatives on
sustainable development of energy and natural resources.

 

•       
Contribute to international seminars,
conferences and expert group meetings. 

 

•       
Undertake expert research and analysis to
support Commonwealth thought leadership.

 

•       
Adhere to the Diversity and Equality values of
the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and in the
Secretariat’s Gender Equality Policy.

 

•       
Perform any other duties as may be required from
time to time.

 

 

   

 

Person Specification

 

Education: A first degree and relevant
post-graduate degree in law, with a specialisation in relevant aspects of
natural resources, maritime, or public international law. 

 

Experience:      Required: 

 

A minimum of ten years of
experience at a senior level in the practice of law and in the implementation
of projects related to the governance of extractives sectors. 

 

Demonstrated skills in: legislative drafting, policy development
and/or in negotiations relating to extractives. 

 

Prior experience in: an
international context, gained in an international organisation, a government
ministry or the private sector.

 

Desirable: 

 

Experience in: the fields of petroleum resources, renewable energy
and other low carbon energy sources, environmental policy and regulation.

 

Experience in: working with Commonwealth governments and working in
a developing country setting, particularly in small states and/or African
countries. 

 

Experience in:
implementing donor-funded technical assistance projects supporting national
governments would also be an advantage.

 

Competencies:

Respect for Diversity

Works effectively with people from all backgrounds.    Treats all people with dignity and respect. Treats men and women equally.    Shows respect and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates understanding in daily work and decision making.    Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group.   Challenges others to rectify biases in behaviour, systems & process

Communication

Speaks and writes diplomatically and presents in public fora with charisma   Demonstrates professional demeanour and executive presence when meeting stakeholders   Respects confidentiality and works to strengthen the trusted advisor status of the Commonwealth Secretariat

Planning & Analysis

Effectively assesses and advises on major programmes/activities at a divisional level   Balances focus in order to deliver both Commonwealth Secretariat and member states’ goals   Ability to interpret incomplete and/or ambiguous information   Effectively analyses and assesses new or uncertain critical situations

Adapting & Innovating

Identifies innovations and opportunities to improve divisional operations/advice and effectively gains buy-in   Evaluates impact of innovations and improvement initiatives   Remains receptive to and encourages innovative ideas from colleagues   Initiates change that will enable programme/team to fulfil objectives in light of changing circumstances

             

Adhering to Principles & Values

Sets example and embodies Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values   Demonstrably protects the reputation of the Commonwealth Secretariat   Interprets and implements Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values   Ensures that division/programmes operate in a manner aligned to the values and principles of the organisation

Leadership & Development

Takes responsibility for participating in personal professional development opportunities that the Secretariat provides    Directs the energy of the organisation towards a common goal    Provides an example to others by demonstrating moral courage in the face of challenging circumstances

 

March 2022