Legal Advisor at US Embassy

Ref: OPDAT-1
Work Hours: Full Time; 40 hours/week

Basic Function of the Position

• The incumbent serves as Legal Advisor for the Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (DOJ/OPDAT) Regional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinator (Regional IPLEC) based in Abuja, Nigeria, with responsibilities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
• S/he develops and administers technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and law enforcement to prevent and combat intellectual property offenses.
• The core function of the position is to assist and advise the Regional IPLEC on policy, law enforcement and legal matters, as well as to determine, prepare and implement proposals and strategies for the Regional IPLEC’s activities, objectives and goals in the region.
• In addition, the incumbent main responsibilities include, but are not limited to assisting the Regional IPLEC increase digital piracy prosecutions and seizures of counterfeit goods regionally by mentoring and training prosecutors, police, and judges, with the assistance of rights-holders and other private industry stakeholders.
• S/he is supervised by the DOJ/OPDAT Regional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinator.

Requirements
Note All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified:

• University degree in International Relations, Economics, Finance, Criminal Justice or Law is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in legal or government work, particularly involving criminal litigation or legislation, regarding intellectual property or computer crime is required.
• Level IV (fluent) Speaking/Writing/Reading in English is required.
• Language proficiency will be tested.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Nigerian political and legal leaders, key political, governmental, judicial and law enforcement institutions and hierarchies, as well as knowledge of relevant legislation, current events in politics, and legal reform, specifically in areas such as criminal law and intellectual property is required.
• Must have strong legal research, analytical, judgment and time management skills; as well as highly developed problem solving and planning abilities.
• Must have an initiative in managing and developing projects, interact effectively with government and non-government officials, as well as the ability to work as a team.
• Proficiency in computer skills (Microsoft Office applications), numerical skills and typing skills are required.
• Must be able to travel within and outside the sub-Saharan Africa region and have the flexibility to work some nights and weekends.

Hiring Preference Selection Process

• When qualified, applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP**

Important Information:

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.
• If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.
• Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.
• This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

Additional Selection Criteria

• Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply
• Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule
• The candidate must be able to obtain and hold the local security certification after selection.
• Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

Salary
SALARY: OR - Ordinarily Resident (OR) - 8,168,957 p.a. (Starting basic salary) Position Grade: FSN-09, In addition to the basic salary, all allowances will be paid in accordance with the Mission Local Compensation Plan.

NOR - Not Ordinarily Resident - AEFM/EFM/MOH - US$45,319 (Base Schedule) FP-05/1* - Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington