Field Legal Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Field Legal Officer reports to the Head Field Legal Office.

Responsibilities

Upholds and ensures the consistent interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, in particular UNRWA Area and International Staff Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, Financial Regulations and Organizational Directives; and of public international law, including the constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing UNRWA activities and operations, and international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. 3.2 Provides advice that is legally accurate, timely, easy to implement, politically sensitive, and consistent, involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities of the Agency and its staff in the Field. Provides legal advice, training and outreach on the interpretation and application of relevant public international law, including treaty law, UN law, international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice. Drafts, reviews and assists in the negotiation of all types of field-related contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, the construction and maintenance of buildings, use of land, lease agreements, memoranda of understanding with partners, legal submissions and other legal documents related to the Field operations. Supports the coordination with Field and HR colleagues, as appropriate, to safeguard and facilitate the Field’s operations, including following up on the implementation of the Field’s requests to the relevant authorities and drawing the attention of the Head, Field Legal Office to potential problems or disputes with the relevant authorities. Advises on resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency and its staff members in their official capacity, including, supporting and providing analysis and advice in negotiations, settlements and arbitration.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Planning and Organizing Analyzing Relating and Networking Adapting and Responding to Change Persuading and Influencing For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law with some specialization in public international law, contract or commercial law. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying International law experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree .

Job – Specific Qualification

Admission to practice law in a domestic jurisdiction is required.

Work Experience

At least five years of progressively responsible relevant work experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, in government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law with some specialization in public international law, contract or commercial law or A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying International law experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required. Familiarity with the UN system and practices is desirable. Prior professional work experience in the occupied Palestinian territory. is desirable. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: Until 31 December 2024, appointment subject to funds availability, with the possibility of further extension based on funds, need and performance. The incumbent should be able to travel in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for a Temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.