DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Fixed-term - 1 year
Organizational Unit
Office of the Legal Counsel WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age after 1 January 2014 is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Conduct extensive legal research and analysis on a broad range of issues, including constitutional, international, public, private, and administrative law, and prepare studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
2. Assisting Legal Counsel in interpreting and applying constitutive, legislative, and other instruments governing WMO's activities and operations.
3. Review legal documents, instruments, and other materials; identify important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
4. Draft background papers, studies, and reports.
5. Prepare legal opinions and advice on international public and private law issues, including the WMO Convention, Congress resolutions, privileges and immunities, procedural issues during meetings, and constitutional and administrative law.
6. Supporting Legal Counsel in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as claims and disputes.
7. Assisting Legal Counsel in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases.
8. Assisting Legal Counsel in providing legal advice on human resources matters and review administrative decisions.
9. Support diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, and other bodies, including preparation of background materials and summaries of issues.
10. Contribute to data collection and analysis, identify trends or patterns, and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning and decision-making.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field of law (eg. International law, Public International Law, Commercial Law).
A first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with two years of additional directly relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.
Experience
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal practice, including legal analysis, research, and drafting.
- Demonstrated expertise in administrative law and contract law is required.
- Experience providing legal advice within an international organization or similar institutional setting as well as familiarity with the United Nations Internal Justice System or comparable administrative employment tribunals is desirable.
Other requirements
The Legal Officer must demonstrate individual-level proficiency in the following competencies:
- Communication & Influence
- Collaboration & Team Dynamics
- Inclusive Mindset & Cultural Awareness
- Decision Making & Problem Solving
- Integrity & Accountability
- Innovation & Digital Agility
- Stakeholder Understanding & Engagement
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Working knowledge of French is desirable. Other official languages of the Organization would also be an advantage.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) The position is funded from the regular budget.
New appointments on fixed-term contract of one year or more shall be subject to an initial one-year probation period. SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 71335
Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 61919 (in addition to the net base salary) Additional Information:
Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview. Date of issue of vacancy notice: 20 January 2026