Associate Legal Officer

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.

This announcement broadcasts international assignment with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Inquiries Branch, Geneva.

The duration of your assignment is six months.

UN University Volunteer assignments are always without family.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Branch, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Associate Legal Officer (UNV) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Conducts legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in international law and other area(s) of specialization using multiple research sources; selects relevant material, analyzes information and presents findings for internal review.
• Assists Legal Officers in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.
• Assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, etc.
• Assesses the relevance or admissibility of evidence gathered by investigators.
• Assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as claims and disputes.
• Assists in providing legal advice on human rights matters.
• Assists in administering programmes of legal technical assistance.
• Assists Legal Officers in servicing investigative bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues, etc.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.