Very experienced lawyer with over 15 years in an international organization. Headed the Administrative Affairs Division of the Legal Department. Deep knowledge of HR legal issues. Experienced litigator in handling HR and other disputes arising out of contract terms of staff members of international organizations before Appeal Panel and International Administrative Tribunal.
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 Contact Oma AKPOFURE-IDRIS
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Area of Expertise: |
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Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice
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Professional Experience: |
Last role was Division Chief, heading the Administrative Affairs Division of the Legal Department at an international organization. One of 4 Division Chiefs / direct Deputies to the General Counsel, acting for him in his absence.
Mature professional; Experienced lawyer and manager, with over 15 years of legal experience in an international organization - and more than 30 years of active legal practice and managerial and supervisory experience at national and international levels (including governmental organizations).
Deep experience of the Administrative Law function of an organization and providing authoritative legal advice to senior management and external clients on the full range of Litigation, HR, Contractual, Disciplinary matters and other matters with legal implications, as well as of Host Country and Lease Agreements, Medical Plan, Staff Retirement Plan, Procurement, policy, program, strategy, resource mobilization matters. Strong experience in successfully leading legal and other teams.
Litigation and Arbitration Experience:
Extensive Litigation experience before international administrative tribunals and before national courts, including at appellate level. Arbitration experience and Extensive Litigation experience overseeing, preparing, guiding and mentoring teams of Legal Counsel in the resolution of staff disputes against an international organization. Deep knowledge of the legal issues arising out of the administrative function of an international organization. Responsible for the defence of the organization in Staff Disputes at the Staff Appeals Committee, the Disciplinary Panel and the Administrative Tribunal.
HR and other Staff Dispute issues:
Contract (Appointments, Probation, Renewals, Performance Evaluation Disputes) and general Staff Disputes on their Conditions of Employment.
Disciplinary Matters:
Staff Misconduct (financial and other impropriety, insubordination and other violations of the organization’s Staff Regulations and Staff Rules). Oversight and Supervision of Legal Counsel who provide legal guidance and support to the organization’s Disciplinary Panel.
Personality and Experience:
Accustomed to, and at ease with, interacting professionally and with discretion, with Boards of Directors and senior officials in government and international organizations, and also with a diverse range of people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Calm and restrained under pressure. Very good listener, very good analytical and reasoning skills, able to identify issues with clarity and to apply her years of experience to resolving problems effectively and creatively. Able to deliver difficult messages with tact and diplomacy, and to persuade people.
Skilled team player, equally able to lead teams (and to participate in teams) with strong leadership, tact, team spirit and humanity. Experienced with a start-up situation and a new and evolving organization and the need to build lasting structures.
Good writing skills; clear and structured speech and communication abilities. Good working knowledge of, and ability to read, understand, analyze and supervise legal documents in French.
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Education: |
LL.M - Master of Laws (University of London)
LL.B (Hons.) - Bachelor of Laws (University of Aberdeen, Scotland)
Bar Admission:
Nigerian Bar - 1983
New York Bar - 1999
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Years of Experience:
More than 20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Masters |
Languages:
English, French (working knowledge) |
Nationality:
Nigeria
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