SENIOR JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, Bangui

Posting Title: SENIOR JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P5 (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: SENIOR JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
Duty Station: BANGUI
Posting Period: 18 May 2022 – 24 May 2022
Job Opening Number: 22-Rule of Law-MINUSCA-180776-J-Bangui (M)
Staffing Exercise N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Bangui. The Senior Judicial Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Justice and Corrections Section.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to the rule of law and the development/reform of the justice and legal systems to include advising national counterparts, providing training and monitoring the court and legal systems, etc.
• Serves as a senior officer and recognized expert in legal aid and legal sector reform; provides policy and operational advice to senior management on an ongoing basis and assists in programming related activities at the national level; independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline, highly complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters involving issues relating to the development or reform of legal or judicial systems/institutions.
• Coordinates and directs work teams; guides, supervises and evaluates the work of junior officers; may assist in the general management and administration of the work unit, organizing and prioritizing the workload and providing general coordination and supervision of assignments.
• Makes various types of recommendations to senior officials with respect to actions to take; recommendations are usually accepted as proposed.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises all activities in assigned area; ensures an integrated and harmonized approach among other components of the mission (e.g. corrections, human rights,
political affairs, policy, gender, child protections, etc.) and UN entities.
• Takes the lead in promoting knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for, and inclusion of, local actors in all judicial and legal system initiatives.
• Organizes and supervises research studies and the preparation written outputs, as well as performs extensive legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares reports, studies, briefs, reports, and other written material; participates in legislative reviews and prepares commentaries.
• Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to regional and local commissions, standing committees, and other offices, etc.
• Serves as spokesperson for the mission as required; develops and maintains relations with high level government officials, magistrates , local leaders and other key players; and actively promotes coordination and communication between international and national partners with a view to pursuing objectives and ensuring participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of the judicial affairs programme.
• Coordinates/performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism:
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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Judgement/decision making:
Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Managing performance:
Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, or bar qualification, or equivalent, in addition to a first level degree in law, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with other relevant academic qualifications and/or legal experience in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years with a master’s degree or twelve (12 ) years with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible professional experience, including seven (7) years as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, Judge, legal academic legal consultant, or advisor in the field of justice is required

A minimum of eighteen (18) months experience providing technical assistance for the development or reform of legal and judicial institutions in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required.

Significant management experience is required.

Experience in providing services in the field of Judicial affairs or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required.