Details

The Permanent Bureau (PB) of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) is seeking a

LEGAL OFFICER (full-time)

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• A law degree (Bachelor/Licentiate or equivalent);
• Good knowledge of private international law in general, as well as familiarity with comparative law;
• At least two years of relevant full-time professional experience (e.g., in practice, government, academia, IGO or NGO);
• Excellent command, both spoken and written, of English, French or Spanish; good command of the others, knowledge of other languages is desirable; and
• Sensitivity to different legal cultures.

The successful candidate should work well in a team, in a fast-paced environment that requires a significant degree of flexibility, and respond well to time-critical requests.

The successful candidate will work in the field of international commercial, digital and financial law, under the responsibility of the Deputy Secretary General. In addition to work in relation to the operation of the HCCH Trusts Convention, the HCCH Securities Convention, and the Choice of Law Principles, duties will include general assistance in relation to the projects on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), Carbon Markets, Digital Tokens, and the Digital Economy. Depending on the work programme established by CGAP, the successful candidate may be called upon to carry out work in other areas, and will respond to requests for information, assist with comparative law research, the preparation of research papers and other documentation, the organisation and preparation of materials for publication, the preparation of, and participation in, conferences, seminars and training programmes. The successful candidate will also support the work of the office of the Deputy Secretary General, and may be called to take on such other work as may be required by the Secretary General from time to time. 

Type of appointment and duration: Two-year contract upon successful completion of a six-month probation period, with the possibility for renewal. 

Nationality: Candidates must bear at least one nationality of a Member State of the HCCH. 

Starting date: 1 December 2025 (with flexibility). 

Grade (HCCH adaptation of the Co-ordinated Organisations scale for the Netherlands): A0/1 subject to relevant experience. 

Deadline for applications: 1 November 2025 (5.00 p.m. CET). 

Applications: Written applications should be made by e-mail, with Curriculum Vitae, letter of motivation, application form, and contact details of at least two references, to be addressed to the Head of Human Resources, at [email protected]. 

The PB strives for gender balance and equitable geographical representation in its recruitment and hiring practices. The PB reserves the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.