Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located within the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (the Commission) pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/S-30/1. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Commission.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Legal Adviser will be responsible for the following duties:
- Serves as first reporting officer to a team of Legal officers, and as lead officer in the area of accountability, and independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal law, including interpretation and application of relevant legal instruments (both substantive and procedural);
- Advises the team on matters related to the applicable legal framework and the legal standards applicable to the human rights situation under investigation;
- Conducts analysis and research on various legal matters pertaining to the investigation, and contributes to drafting the investigation plan; formulates recommendations for evidence collection and options for accountability measures aiming at combating impunity;
- Suggests legal qualifications of gathered information, advises on the standard of proof and determines responsibilities and, where possible, identifies those responsible;
- Provides advice on different legal issues and assists in drafting legal opinions, memoranda and other briefing documents for Members and Secretariat staff;
- Ensures legal accuracy of all documents, including reports, submissions, press releases etc., prepared by the Secretariat;
- Identifies trends and patterns of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international criminal law and international humanitarian law;
- Drafts the legal framework and analysis of the Commission’s reports and ensures consistency of findings, conclusions and recommendations with the mandate, applicable law and information gathered;
- Conducts information gathering activities under the guidance of the Investigation Team Leader, including interviews and the collection and analysis of open sources material and satellite imagery;
- Ensures the legal analysis and legal qualification of the findings integrate gender perspectives, reflecting the gender dimensions and gendered impact of the violations;
- Advises the Coordinator and the team on the legal findings and discusses the possible recommendations, in particular on accountability measures.
- Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
- TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
- PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. VISION. Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals ; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction ; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, or another discipline related to human rights is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law is required. Out of the seven years, at least two (2) years of experience in providing legal analysis on international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law or related legal areas is required. At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience working with international accountability mechanisms, UN fact-finding missions/commissions of inquiry or in UN field presences as legal advisors is desirable. Relevant working experience in or on Middle East region is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of Hebrew is desirable
Application instructions
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