Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the General Legal Division in the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations. The incumbent reports to the Senior Legal Officers, the Principal Legal Officers and the Director of the General Legal Division.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
- Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, substantial contracts and procurement, arbitration and claims, peacekeeping and other operational matters, and accountability and judicial support matters.
- Handles and assists in the provision of legal advice on the representation of the Secretary-General in the administration of justice system.
- Conducts legal research and analysis of novel and complex issues of international administrative law.
- Undertakes basic review of legal documents and identifies trends and systemic issues in the jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and develops appropriate recommendations to address those issues.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal advice to offices representing the Secretary-General before the UNDT.
- Reviews and briefs senior management on cases and issues emerging from the administration of justice system.
- Assists with the representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
- Analyses UNDT judgments and identifies issues for appeals.
- Liaises with relevant offices to prepare appeals of UNDT judgments and drafts appeals of UNDT judgments.
- Provides legal advice on the development of administrative issuances relating to the administration and management of the Organization.
- Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules relating to administrative and personnel matters.
- Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules and administrative issuances promulgated thereunder. Provides guidance to more junior staff.
- Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Ability to conduct legal research and analyze information from various resources on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to negotiate and influence others to reach agreements. Ability to work and meet tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/case. 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 AND 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admittance to the bar of a Member State, or otherwise qualified to practice law in a Member State, is required.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, obtained in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization, a law firm or a Government, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Experience in litigation is required. Relevant experience gained working in an international organization is desirable. Experience in administrative law is desirable. Experience with appellate litigation is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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