Legal Officer – Competition & Consumer Protection (Temporary)

About the role

The Legal Officer will join the Competition and Consumer Policies Branch of UNCTAD in Geneva, reporting to the Branch Head. This temporary position supports the development of competition and consumer protection law within the context of international trade and development.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct extensive legal research, analysis and prepare studies, briefs, reports and correspondence on competition and consumer protection law.
• Review legal documents, draft background papers, legislative texts, commentaries and teaching materials for governments, enterprises and academia.
• Prepare and negotiate agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and private entities, and handle related dispute settlement.
• Support UNCTAD intergovernmental meetings, prepare background materials, summaries and meeting reports.
• Design and back‑stop technical assistance programmes, organise seminars, workshops and training for officials and stakeholders.
• Contribute to communication activities, speeches and presentations by senior staff.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in international law or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of progressive legal experience, preferably in competition or consumer protection law.
• Experience in international research, policy formulation, technical cooperation and capacity building is desirable.
• Fluent in English (required); knowledge of French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish is a plus.

Required skills

• Legal research and analysis, especially in competition and consumer protection.
• Drafting of legal documents, legislative texts and policy papers.
• Negotiation and contract preparation with public and private partners.
• Ability to support intergovernmental meetings and produce concise reports.