Legal Specialist

Grade : P-2

Salary - Monthly (non-negotiable) :

4,596.92 USD

Post Adjustment - Monthly :

2,565.08 USD

Contractual Agreement :

Staff - Professional Non-post

Job Posting : November 17, 2025

Closing Date :

December 2, 2025, 11 : 59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location : Washington, D.C.

Organization :

LEG Office of the Legal Counsel

Schedule : Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES :

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE / DEPARTMENT

Provides legal advice and counsel to PAHO's Governing Bodies, Executive Management, PAHO / WHO Representatives (PWRs), PAHO Centers, Country Offices, and PASB Headquarters entities on all legal matters, including the application of national and international law to the Organization's programs and activities, as well as constitutional, administrative, and procedural matters. Drafts, reviews, and / or negotiates contracts, treaties, agreements, resolutions, and any other type of instrument with legal implications for the Organization. Represents and defends the Organization before the internal appeals process as well as the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labor Organization and other international or national judicial and quasi-judicial fora, as appropriate.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Assignments involve providing legal support to LEG in all matters related to performing preliminary review of legal documents, and processing and record-keeping functions in support of the preparation of legal manuscripts and the dissemination of legal advice through such tasks as maintaining and updating case files, reference materials and related indexes, and researching and summarizing legal precedents in order to draft preliminary legal opinions. Frequent contacts with staff members throughout the Organization as well as extensive external contacts to provide or collect a variety of information, ensure common understanding, clarify and / or resolve technical issues dealing with internal legal precedents including information on important issues of a sensitive and confidential nature.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general supervision of the Legal Counsel (LEG), and the direct supervision of the Legal Advisor (LEG), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties :

• a. Prepare draft legal opinions in response to queries raised by Country, Subregional, and Regional entities as well as Centers, following general instructions given by supervisor;
• b. Provide legal and policy support to administrative areas, including the Areas of Human Resources Management (HRM), General Services Operations (GSO), and Procurement and Supply Management (PRO), and / or other offices on legal administrative matters as requested;
• c. Draft legal memoranda and other legal documents including administrative contracts and agreements such as contracts of engagement of personnel, consultants and contracts awarded for the procurement of goods or services;
• d. Assist in the preparation of briefs to represent the Organization in proceedings before appeal bodies and administrative tribunals as well as other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies;
• e. Conduct due diligence and risk assessment reviews of non-State actors in connection with proposed engagements with PAHO for review by supervisor;
• f. Perform preliminary review of the legal aspects of project proposals, draft agreements, correspondence and other texts and provide appropriate comments to supervisor;
• g. Draft or assist in the drafting of Technical Cooperation Agreements and other legal documents to which the Organization is a party for the final review by supervisor;
• h. Provide legal and policy support to PAHO's technical cooperation programs, the Regional Revolving Fund for Strategic Public Health Supplies and Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines;
• i. Prepare and follow up on filings before national entities to establish, maintain, and protect the intellectual property and other legal commercial rights of the Organization;
• j. Assist in the selection and analysis of relevant international and national legal materials for the preparation of reports or legal opinions;
• k. Prepare background materials, reports, papers and other documents as requested by supervisor;

l. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

KEY BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Overall attitude at work : Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization's mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

Teamwork : Collaborate and cooperate with others. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams' successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret / attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

Respecting and valuing individual differences : - Treats everyone with dignity and respect, fostering positive relationships with everyone. Reflects on personal behavior to avoid stereotypes and considers situations from the perspective of others.

Communication : Express oneself clearly when speaking / Write effectively / Listen / Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

Knowing and managing yourself : Manages stress / Invite feedback / Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and / or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.

Producing Results : Deliver quality results / Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients' needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project's expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and / or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

Moving forward in a changing environmen t : Propose change / Adapt to change - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

Essential : A university degree in law or in any other discipline related to the functions of the post from a recognized institution.

Desirable : Advanced law degree in any of the areas that relate to the functions of the post, and / or admission to practice law in a PAHO Member State would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE

Essential : Five years of combined national and international law experience, preferably in contracts, torts, mercantile, intellectual property and / or administrative law.

Desirable : Experience working in a UN common system organization, or other international public organization would be an asset.

LANGUAGES

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.

IT SKILLS

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

Eleven months with possible extensions up to 24 months, subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.

DISCLAIMER

(IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list can be assessed through the link :

nces.gov to support the validation process.

PAHO / WHO is committed to :