Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Handles a range of issues related to international law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of lectures, research materials and notes for the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law on a wide range of international law issues, including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, peace and security, criminal prosecutions, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
- Prepares or assists with the preparation of international law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
- Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare reports and correspondence.
- Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material as well as multimedia content; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, multimedia content, teaching materials in the field of international law, legal publications, etc.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international law issues, including the Charter of the United Nations, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to substantive and procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs and subsidiary organs.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements with governments and other public and private entities.
- Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
- Provides legal advice on human resources matters; reviews administrative matters.
- Provides guidance to more junior staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Theoretical knowledge of international law and instruments in the area of public international law; demonstrated analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research on a range of relatively complex and intricate public international law issues; ability to prepare background papers and studies on a variety of legal issues and instruments; demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in the context of assignments given; familiarity with United Nations activities. 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.
- 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.
- Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
- Experience in organizing lectures on topics of international law is desirable.
- Experience in public international law at the national or international level is desirable.
- Experience with an international organization is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Application instructions
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