Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 226267
Job Network : Legal
Job Family : Legal Affairs
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-3
Duty Station : NEW YORK
Department/Office : Office of Legal Affairs
Date Posted : Jan 19, 2024
Deadline : Jan 25, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs. The Legal Officer reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs through a Senior Legal Officer.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority, the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
•Handles a range of issues related to public international law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative, procedural and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, in consultation with a Senior Legal Officer.
•Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares studies, reports and correspondence.
•Undertakes reviews of legal documents, instruments or other material; 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.
•Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law issues, including the United Nations Charter and General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, institutional questions, peacekeeping, international criminal law, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs and conferences and the constitutional law of the Organization.
•Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements with governments and international organizations, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes.
•Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
•Provides guidance to more junior staff.
•Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of public international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the law of privileges and immunities and the law of peacekeeping operations; Familiarity with the institutions and organization of the UN system; Analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research on a range of relatively complex and intricate issues; Proficiency in legal drafting and ability to draft clearly and well under time pressure; Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given; Negotiating skills; 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.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in public international 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.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required.

At least two years of professional experience as a lawyer in the legal office of an
intergovernmental organization or government ministry or department are required.

Professional legal experience advising on issues of international legal cooperation in criminal matters is desirable.

Professional legal experience advising on issues of public international law relating to
international peacekeeping operations is desirable.

Professional legal experience advising on questions of international humanitarian law is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.