Legal Advisor (Legal Program Assistant) at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position below:

Job Title: Legal Advisor (Legal Program Assistant)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2019-018
Location: Abuja
Series/Grade: LE - 1905 9
Promotion Potential: LE-9
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: For USEFM - FS is 5/1.  Actual FS salary determined by Washington D.C., All Interested Applicants / All Sources
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period
• Marketing Statement: We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.
• Summary: The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Travel Required: 50% or less - The position requires some travel within and outside the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Duties/Basic Function of the Position

• Basic Function of the Position - The incumbent serves as Legal Program Assistant for the Department of Justice's Office of Overseas Proprietorial Development Assistance and Training  (DOJ/OPDAT) International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) attorney advisor based in Abuja, Nigeria, with responsibilities throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
• The ICHIP's role is to develop and administer technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and law enforcement to prevent and combat cybercrime and intellectual property offenses.
• The core function of this position is to assist and advise the ICHIP on policy, law enforcement and legal matters, as well as to determine, prepare and implement proposals and strategies for the ICHIP's activities, objectives and goals in the region.
• Her/his responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting the ICHIP 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.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

Experience: 

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in legal or government work, particularly involving criminal litigation or legislation, particularly intellectual property or computer crime is required.

Job Knowledge: 

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Nigerian political and legal leaders, and 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 are required.
• Must have a good understanding of legal and criminal justice infrastructure of Nigeria governmental institutions.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, Economics, Finance, Criminal Justice or Law is required.

Evaluations:

• This may be tested.

Language:

• Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing in English is required. Level II (Limited knowledge) in French is required.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Must have strong legal research, analytical, judgement 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) is required. Must be able to travel within and outside the sub-Saharan Africa region and have the flexibility to work some nights and weekends.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): 

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits and Other Info
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Other Information:

• Hiring Preference Selection Process: 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 and CS with reemployment rights **

Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant.
• The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following Link

Salary

• NGN 10,558,899 (USD $45,953) per annum

Application Closing Date
7th May, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Required Documents for Application
Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:

• Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree (not transcript)
• NYSC Certificate
• Certificate or License
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Notice/Next Steps

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Nigeria.

For More Info: HR Section, Tel: 01-461-4000, email: HRNigeria@state.gov