Job Opportunity: Consultant (Legal) In GEM Division At Ministry Of External Affairs
Table of Contents
- Role overview
- Tenure, termination, and extension
- Eligibility criteria
- Detailed responsibilities
- Application process
- What to include with the application
- Ideal candidate profile
- Why this role is compelling
- Key dates and reference
- Quick reference table
- Application checklist
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is inviting applications for one Consultant (Legal) in the Global Estate Management (GEM) Division on a one-year contract, extendable based on performance and requirement, with the last date for receipt of applications being 7 November 2025, 17:30 hrs.
Role overview
The Consultant will function as a single‑window legal advisor for all ongoing and prospective arbitration and litigation handled by the GEM Division, which oversees MEA’s global estates and infrastructure portfolio.
Core duties include liaising with lawyers and arbitrators, preparing legal replies, attending court hearings, maintaining a live status tracker of cases, vetting leases and sale/purchase agreements, and advising on compliance with domestic and international legal requirements in infrastructure projects.
Tenure, termination, and extension
- Initial tenure: 1 year; extendable subject to performance assessment, mutual willingness, and divisional needs.
- Termination: One month’s notice by either side or one month’s pay in lieu; unauthorized absence may lead to termination.
Eligibility criteria
- Education: LL.B. from a recognized university in India or abroad.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years in the legal field, with fluency in English and strong computer/internet skills required.
- Desirable: Expertise in contract law, litigation, dispute resolution, particularly for construction, real estate, and infrastructure; prior work on legal contractual matters, arbitration, and international law will be given weightage.
- Age limit: Not more than 40 years as on the last date of application.
Detailed responsibilities
- Act as single‑window advisor across GEM’s disputes; coordinate briefs and strategy for arbitration/court matters and maintain a tracker for dates and filings to alert officials in time.
- Examine and provide legal opinions on agreements with external contractors/consultants; assist in risk assessment and mitigation on legal/contractual issues.
- Vet lease and sale/purchase agreements for MEA’s estate portfolio (India and missions/posts abroad) to ensure enforceability and compliance.
- Offer guidance on compliance with international and domestic legal requirements relevant to infrastructure projects, including cross‑border considerations typical of MEA’s estate management.
Application process
- Mode: Submit the filled application proforma (Annexure I) with supporting documents via either of the following.
- Offline: By registered post in an envelope labelled “Application for the position of Consultant (Legal) in GEM Division of Ministry of External Affairs” to Under Secretary (PF&PG), Room No. 4071, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23‑D, Janpath, New Delhi‑110011
- Online: Email the completed Annexure I and attachments to aopfsec@mea.gov.in with a clear subject line naming the candidate and the position.
- Screening: MEA will review applications and shortlist candidates for interview and/or written test; details will be sent by email; incomplete applications or those without documents will be rejected.
What to include with the application
- Duly filled Annexure I (application proforma).
- Self‑attested copies of educational qualifications, bar enrollment (if applicable), and experience documents; any prior government service details should be attached.
Ideal candidate profile
- Litigation/arbitration practitioner with hands‑on experience in construction and real estate disputes, who can independently draft pleadings, manage counsel, and provide risk‑based advice on high‑value infrastructure contracts.
- Comfortable interfacing with government procedures and international law touchpoints arising from properties and contracts involving foreign jurisdictions or entities.
Why this role is compelling
- High‑impact legal advisory at the intersection of government infrastructure, international law, and dispute resolution in a global portfolio, offering diverse exposure beyond typical domestic real estate practice.
- A clear, structured mandate and measurable outputs—case tracking, agreement vetting, and hearing participation—make it suitable for professionals seeking visible impact within a year, with scope for extension.
Key dates and reference
- Deadline: 7 November 2025, 17:30 hrs, for receipt via post or email.
- Reference: Advertisement No. Q/PF/575/40/2025 dated 14.10.2025; vacancy listed on MEA’s official vacancies page.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of External Affairs (Administration Division) |
| Division | Global Estate Management (GEM) |
| Post | Consultant (Legal) |
| Tenure | 1 year, extendable; 1‑month notice for termination mea |
| Age limit | ≤ 40 years on last date |
| Eligibility | LL.B.; 5+ years’ legal experience; fluent English; computer skills |
| Desirable | Contract law, litigation, arbitration; construction/real estate/infrastructure; international law |
| Apply by | 7 Nov 2025, 17:30 hrs (post or email) |
| Address/Email | Under Secretary (PF&PG), JNB, Janpath, New Delhi 110011 / aopfsec@mea.gov.in |
Application checklist
- Complete Annexure I and collate degree, experience, and any court/arbitration matter lists demonstrating construction/real estate/infrastructure expertise.
- Choose a submission mode (registered post or email) and ensure the subject/envelope labelling is as prescribed; file before 17:30 hrs on 7 Nov 2025 to avoid rejection.
Official Notification: https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/Advertisement-GEM-Consultant-14-10.pdf
