Legal Research Assistant

Client of United Nation careers

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal and regulatory frameworks are vital for transparent, competitive, and well-functioning markets, safeguarding rights and ensuring fair transactions. In the Arab region, strengthening these frameworks is central to economic reform, especially amid globalization, digital transformation, and shifting trade dynamics. ESCWA supports this work through two flagship initiatives: the Arab Business Legislative Framework (ABLF), which provides comparative analysis of business-related laws across Arab countries, and the Arab Legislations Portal (ALP), an open-access database of national laws. These tools enhance legal transparency, policy coherence, and regional harmonization. In parallel, ESCWA conducts targeted research and policy studies, including the Oman Building Materials Sector Market Study and the final assessment of Oman s 10th National Development Plan, to evaluate the impact of regulations and identify reform priorities. To advance these efforts, ESCWA seeks an Individual Contractor (Legal Assistant) to provide research, drafting, and documentation support. The role will include legal analysis, database updates, report preparation, and capacity-building materials, as well as supporting the completion of ABLF chapters on FDI and corporate law, updating earlier chapters on competition and consumer protection, and assisting in the organization of a legal workshop for judges on competition policy in the UAE. Through this assignment, the contractor will help strengthen the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of legal and regulatory frameworks in the Arab region, contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Reporting to the Project Manager and Economic Affairs Officer, the individual contractor will work closely with the team working on the Oman project in the following areas: 1. Conduct research and analysis on legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to the building materials sector in Oman, and provide inputs to the drafting and review of the study s legal components. 2. Assist in the legal and policy review elements of Oman s 10th National Development Plan, and prepare concise inputs and summaries for inclusion in the final report. 3. Contribute to the completion and publication of remaining chapters on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Corporate Law under the Arab Business Legislative Framework, review and update earlier chapters on competition and consumer protection, and ensure overall consistency in content and presentation. 4. Gather and verify legislative texts and related resources for the Arab Legislations Portal, update and maintain the database, and ensure accurate classification for efficient retrieval. 5. Assist in the finalization of materials for the legal workshop on competition policy for judges in the UAE, including relevant legal references and case studies, and support logistical and organizational arrangements. 6. Conduct legal research, draft and edit legal documents and reports, maintain organized electronic legal files, and perform other related tasks as assigned. 7. Perform other related duties as required to support the successful delivery of project outputs.

Qualifications/special skills

A bachelor s degree in law, economics, business or related areas is required. An advanced University degree in the above fields is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 2 years of professional work experience in the fields of law, economics, business, or related field is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: Fluency equals a rating of fluent in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and Knowledge of equals a rating of confident in two of the four areas.