Result of Service

The consultant engaged under these Terms of Reference is expected to apply specialized expertise and skills with respect to UNCITRAL’s texts, in particular in the area of e-commerce, and to support UNCITRAL’s legislative and non-legislative work with respect to e-commerce and end-to-end trade digitalization as described in detail below, in coordination with relevant colleagues at the UNCITRAL secretariat.

Work Location

Vienna

Expected duration

Five months

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of a Senior Legal Officer, and specific supervision by legal officers of OLA/ITLD, the consultant is expected to support UNCITRAL’s preparatory work in the area of end-to-end trade digitalization and paperless trade, by: Building on the stocktaking of UNCITRAL texts referring to electronic aspects (A/CN.9/1226) and taking into consideration, among other things, relevant documents considered at Commission sessions, including the proposal by the Russian Federation on possible future work on the legal aspects of paperless trade (A/CN.9/1234) and the outcomes of the Colloquium on Paperless Trade (https://uncitral.un.org/en/paymentspaperlesstrade); Drafting the report for the Commission’s fifty-ninth session with respect to its preparatory work on enabling end-to-end trade digitalization and paperless trade, including the compilation and consolidation of UNCITRAL texts on e-commerce into a single legislative text, with guidance material on their consistent implementation, and addressing as a part of that work how to address gaps and challenges identified during the Colloquium to facilitate paperless trade (A/80/17, para. 238-245); and Ensuring proper coordination with UNCITRAL secretariat staff also supporting the work on end-to-end trade digitalization and paperless trade. Contribute to enhancing the uptake and understanding of the texts by policymakers and other users, and to facilitating their uniform interpretation and application by judges, arbitrators, and other practitioners, including by: Provision of technical assistance and legal advice to States and other stakeholders engaged in law reform processes relating to the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts; Provision of advisory support to a range of stakeholders, including other international and regional organizations, with a view to promoting consistent interpretation and improved understanding of the texts; Support for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of case law relevant to the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts through the CLOUT system, including identification of relevant judicial and arbitral decisions and preparation of abstracts for publication and inclusion in the CLOUT system; Contribution to capacity-building and awareness-raising activities, including UNCITRAL Days, webinars, training sessions, and other events aimed at promoting understanding and practical application of the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts; Monitoring and reporting on emerging legal, regulatory, and practical developments affecting the implementation of the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts, as well as relevant deliberations in other international fora, including UNIDROIT and the Hague Conference; Preparation and periodic updating of the online training module(s) on the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts; Tracking and analysis of the adoption and implementation status of the UNCITRAL e-commerce texts across jurisdictions, including preparation of internal updates and summaries; and Coordination with technical assistance partners and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to support coherent implementation and avoid duplication of efforts.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent degree) in law with specialisation in commercial (business), comparative or private international law or communication and related field is required. A first-level degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying working experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of two years of experience in commercial law, including one year at the international level is required. Good legal writing and analysis skills are required. Research experience in the field of international commercial law is required. Familiarity with the work of UNCITRAL is required, with specialized knowledge of UNCITRAL texts on electronic commerce. Experience with various legal systems and various areas of commercial law is desirable. Experience with preparing legal memorandums and training materials and organizing large events is desirable. Experience with the implementation of technical assistance and capacity-building activities in the field of international commercial law is desirable. Experience with presentations, legal content visualization and data analytics are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French with excellent drafting and communication skills, are required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Consultant (e-commerce)