Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified nationals of CARIFORUM Member States
to fill the abovementioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station
in Guyana.
- FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
This position supports the objectives of the Institutional Support for CARIFORUM-EU
Development Cooperation and EPA Implementation Grant Contract with respect to advancing
the implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) through the
provision of legal advice to the joint Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, including to
representatives of CARIFORUM on the joint Institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA,
relating to the carrying out of their respective functions; to the CARIFORUM Directorate in
carrying out activities related to the operations of the EPA and to CARIFORUM States, through
appropriate channels of communication.
The requirements of the position include the preparation of draft Agreements, Decisions and
other instruments in relation to the matters set out above and monitoring progress of, and the
provision of assistance in, the implementation of decisions and of the joint Institutions of the
EPA; research and the formulation of policy proposals on legally related matters.
The position is deemed to be effective, efficient and relevant when under the direction of
Director, EPA Implementation Unit:
Legal advice on matters related to the implementation and application of the CARIFORUM-
EU EPA is provided to the joint Institutions of the EPA.
CARIFORUM representatives on the joint Institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA
are provided with timely legal services support on matters relating to the CARIFORUM-EU
EPA and related instruments.
Legal advice, as requested, is provided to CARIFORUM States in the implementation and
application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.
Legal documents and other instruments are being prepared, reviewed, interpreted and
applied.
The joint institutions and other bodies of the EPA are operating efficiently and effectively.
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Draft Decisions of the joint Institutions and other instruments pertaining to the
CARIFORUM-EU EPA are prepared and submitted to the relevant joint Institutions for
approval and, where necessary, assistance is provided in the implementation of the
Decisions.
Support pertaining to legislative interventions necessary to facilitate implementation of
the CARIFORUM-EU EPA obligations is provided.
- QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Candidates should possess a Bachelor of Laws Degree, qualification as an Attorney-at-Law, with
admission to the Bar of a CARIFORUM State and an LLM or post graduate degree in international
law, preferably dealing with WTO issues, international trade or public international law.
Qualification in or knowledge of EU Law will be an asset, plus at least eight (8) years post
qualification and relevant experience as an attorney-at-law in a CARIFORUM State and relevant
working experience in one or more of the following:
□ an international/regional organisation
□ Office of the Attorney-General/ Parliamentary Counsel Department
□ Ministry of Foreign Trade or other relevant Ministry
Candidates should possess:
□ Specialised or on the job training and working knowledge in Information Technology
(IT) readiness, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
□ Knowledge of the provisions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.
Work experience with other regional or international trade Agreements will be an
asset; and
□ Knowledge and experience in drafting of documents and legal texts clearly and
precisely, including legislation.
In addition, the position requires:
□ Strong legal research and writing skills.
□ Experience in preparing, interpreting and applying legal documents including treaties
and legislation.
□ Experience in the practical application of international trade law principles and/or
international trade agreements, especially the CARIFORUM-EU EPA.
□ Experience in working in teams. - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Director, the Senior Legal Officer will be required to:
4.1 INTERPRET and APPLY the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments and PROVIDE advice in
that regard;
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4.2 UNDERTAKE the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identify important
issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.;
4.3 PREPARE Legal Opinions and Briefs, Papers and Reports on legally related matters as required;
4.4 PROVIDE legal advice, as requested, to CARIFORUM States in the implementation and
application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;
4.5 PROVIDE legal advice to the joint institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA on matters related to
the interpretation and application of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments;
4.6 PROVIDE legalservices support to CARIFORUM representatives participating in meetings of joint
CARIFORUM-EU institutions or bodies of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and in meetings preparatory
thereto;
4.7 ASSIST in the preparation of Decisions/Recommendations of joint institutions of the
CARIFORUM-EU and COORDINATE the formal processes for executing the
Decisions/Recommendations;
4.8 MONITOR progress, FOLLOW-UP and ASSIST in the implementation of Decisions and
Recommendations of joint Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;
4.9 COORDINATE, subject to the availability of resources, the preparation of model and
country-specific legislation to implement CARIFORUM-EU EPA obligations using, as necessary,
short-term consultants;
4.10 ASSIST in the drafting of Treaties/International Agreements and rules of procedure for
Institutions of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA;
4.11 COORDINATE the maintenance of records relating to treaty actions undertaken by the Parties
and the Signatory CARIFORUM States in relation to the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and PROVIDE advice
in relation to the depositary practices of the Depositary;
4.12 LIAISE with the competent officials in CARIFORUM States and the EU on CARIFORUM-EU EPA
implementation matters;
4.13 MANAGE the procurement and performance of short-term consultants recruited to assist in
implementing any of the above activities to ensure the timely completion of deliverables in
keeping with scope and cost; and
4.14 PROVIDE legal advisory services to the CARIFORUM Directorate pertaining to the application of
the CARIFORUM-EU EPA and related instruments.
In addition to the Results and Activities outlined above, the incumbent is expected to perform
any other duties in line with job responsibilities that may be assigned by the Director, EPA
Implementation Unit.
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- EMOLUMENTS AND BENEFITS
An attractive remuneration package will be offered. - EDUCATION GRANT
The Officer shall be eligible for the payment of an education grant in respect of children
(including stepchildren and legally-adopted children) who require reasonable education
facilities that are not available at the assigned duty station or whose education the Officer would
not want to disrupt in relocating to take up this appointment.
The grant shall apply to children under the age of twenty-three years and shall not exceed
seventy-five per cent of the cost of tuition (including textbooks), room and board up to a
maximum total of EC$16,200.00 per year per child for a maximum of two children at any one
time. The grant is payable for a maximum of five years. - SETTLEMENT GRANT
On assumption of duty in Guyana, the Officer shall be paid a settlement grant in respect of the
staff member, his or her spouse and each eligible child or other approved dependent. The
number of dependents eligible for Settlement Grant shall not exceed six (6) persons. - RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT
Appointment may be on contract or on secondment from a Public Service or a statutory body of
a Member State or approved regional organisation. It will be subject to such regulations, rules,
orders and instructions as exist and as may be introduced from time to time in respect of service
with the Secretariat.
An officer recruited from outside the assigned duty station, on first appointment, will be
provided economy class air passages by the most direct route for the officer, spouse and children
(provided they are below the age of eighteen years, unmarried and dependent on the officer)
and for such other dependents not exceeding two as may be approved by the Secretary-General,
provided that the number of children and other dependents does not exceed six (6) in all.
In addition to passages, the Officer will be granted the following transportation allowances:
(i) ocean freight charges, including insurance, for shipping personal and household effects
to Guyana, not exceeding 45.3 cubic meters, plus a motor car (if the Officer already owns
one);
(ii) the cost of transporting baggage, personal and household effects from the home of the
Officer to the place of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation to the place of
residence in Guyana; and
(iii) the cost of packing and crating personal and household effects.
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- LEAVE
The Officer will be eligible for the grant of vacation leave at the rate of twenty (20) working days
a year and a leave grant after every twelve months of service in respect of the Officer, spouse
and up to two dependent children. - PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES
The Officer will be granted the privileges and immunities extended to officials of the Caribbean
Community in accordance with Article 8 of the Community’s Headquarters Agreement with the
Government of Guyana. - GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Subject to your acceptance by the Secretariat’s insurance carrier, Sagicor Life Inc., the Officer
will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s group health, life and accident insurance
schemes. With respect to the health scheme, the Officer will contribute fifty per cent of the
premium. The life and accident insurance scheme is non-contributory. - SUPERANNUATION
An officer on contract shall, subject to his/her services being satisfactory and having completed
at least six (6) months of the contractual term of employment be eligible for the payment of a
gratuity. The gratuity shall be at the rate of twenty per cent of the officer’s basic salary,
calculated for each day of completed service and shall be payable at the end of the officer’s
contractual period (including for this purpose any period of extension or approved leave). Where
the appointment is on secondment, the Secretariat will pay to the officer’s substantive
employer, over the period of secondment, a contribution not exceeding twenty-five per cent of
the pensionable salary normally payable to the officer by that employer so as to maintain the
pensionable status of the officer in the substantive employment. - APPLICATIONS
Interested candidates must create a job profile and apply for the position via the
CARICOM Secretariat’s Employment Portal. The link can be accessed at –
https://caricom.org/opportunities_category/caricom-secretariat-vacancies/ . - The deadline for the submission of applications is 25 June 2021.
