The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) seeks an Attorney (Grade P02) for the Department of Legal Services in Washington D.C. This is a Series A short-term appointment of 12 months (Announcement Number EO/36/26). Basic salary US$56,046 plus post adjustment US$30,601.
Duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the Director or through the Principal Attorneys and under their general supervision:
1. Conducts and supports litigation — represents the Secretary General, the Retirement and Pension Committee, and the Director General of IICA before the OAS Administrative Tribunal in ordinary cases; assists senior attorneys on complex cases. Work includes investigation, legal research, drafting briefs, interviewing and preparing witnesses, cross-examination, oral argument, settlement negotiations, and communication with adverse parties. Also represents the OAS, GS/OAS and their dependencies before courts and in arbitration proceedings in jurisdictions where licensed.
2. Participates in negotiations — serves as negotiator or legal advisor in negotiations with commercial entities on procurement, construction/renovation contracts, leases, disposal of personal property, chattel mortgages, small-loan documentation and routine technical cooperation agreements; negotiates case settlements; attends negotiating sessions on personnel questions and agreements with Member States and donors.
3. Provides legal advisory services — assists senior attorneys in advising officials at all ranks through written legal opinions and memoranda and oral opinions, covering administrative law, labor law, pension fund regulation, contract law, private and public international law, host-country and Member State law, privileges and immunities of international organizations, family, civil rights, tax, immigration, personal injury and constitutional law, and the internal law of the Organization. Serves as deputy legal advisor to Secretariat officials, General Assembly committees, the Permanent Council, specialized committees (Contract Awards, Ethics, Insurance) and specialized organs such as CITEL, CICAD, CIM, IIN, PADF and IICA.
4. Provides legal drafting services — prepares and comments on draft Executive Orders, amendments to the General Standards, Staff Rules and Procurement Rules, diplomatic notes, international agreements, privileges-and-immunities agreements, technical cooperation agreements, procurement and infrastructure contracts, memoranda of understanding, resolutions and other documents referred for legal review.
5. Other related duties — develops project proposals for technical assistance programs and may manage legal development-related projects.
Qualifications — Essential: Juris Doctor or first university degree (Bachelor) in Law from a duly accredited institution plus 4 years of relevant experience at national or international level, OR a Master of Laws (LLM) plus 2 years of relevant experience; membership in good standing in at least one Member State's bar. Desirable: experience or knowledge of the OAS mandate, priorities and the Inter-American agenda and system. Computer skills: Microsoft Office and software applicable to the area of work. Languages — Essential: proficiency in at least two of English, French, Portuguese and Spanish (read, write, communicate), subject to the DHR language proficiency examination requirements under Article 44(f) of the General Standards; desirable: working knowledge of the other two official languages. Personal competencies: client orientation, knowledge sharing, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Benefits include remuneration net of taxes for non-US citizens (US citizens are reimbursed for most taxes paid on OAS remuneration), 21 days paid annual leave rising to 30 within 5 years, sick and parental leave, health insurance with OAS paying two-thirds of the premium, and a Retirement and Pension Plan with a 14% OAS contribution against a 7% staff contribution. The mandatory retirement age at the General Secretariat is 65.
Closing date: 2026-09-04
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online through the OAS Taleo careers portal using the "Apply Now" link for requisition rid=1056 (Announcement Number EO/36/26) before the closing date of 4 September 2026.
https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf01/ats/careers/v2/applyRequisition?org=OAS2&cws=39&rid=1056