Chief of Section, Legal Affairs

Overview

Provide strategic vision and lead the management of the Africa Section in counter-terrorism measures implementation.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law or related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law, criminal justice, law enforcement, or related fields.
• Experience in management or leadership positions is required.
• Experience with counter-terrorism matters is required.
• Experience related to Africa is desirable.
• Fluency in English (required) and French (desirable).

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 194,686 USD and 243,986 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Africa Section within the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director of CTED, the Chief of Section reports directly to the D-2, Deputy Executive Director, CTED.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides strategic vision, policy guidance and procedural advice to the Head of Assessment and Technical Assistance Office and other senior managers, on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019), 2617 (2021), 2810 (2025) and other relevant resolutions as well as decisions of the Counter-Terrorism Committee; • Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that substantive work programmes and action plans and activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating activities in Section and the Office, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies, and other partners as appropriate, in the areas of analysis of the status of implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019), 2617 (2021), 2810 (2025) and other relevant resolutions by identified Member States under the Section's portfolio, the preparation of stocktaking documents on assessments of counterterrorism measures undertaken by Member States under the Section's portfolio; • Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under her/his responsibility. • Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others; leads or participates in CTC assessment visits to Member States under the Section to assess their compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international instruments on counterterrorism. • Provides substantive reviews of the recommendations to effectively implement the Security Council resolutions and identify related capacity-building needs. • Supervises the preparation of draft assessment reports and proposes technical solutions to resolve States' compliance issues, including ways to facilitate concretely needed technical assistance. • Manages and supervises the follow-up activities with identified Member States under the Section's portfolio to ensure progress is made to implement the Committee's assessment recommendations, as well as follow-up activities with relevant United Nations bodies and technical assistance providers to facilitate the delivery of technical assistance needs to Member States in need for assistance. • Contributes to the reporting to Security Council and the Counter-Terrorism Committee in counterterrorism issues, particularly those presented in monthly, biannual and/or annual reports. • Ensures that the output produced by the Section maintains high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all output produced by the Section under her/his supervision meets required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Prepares input for the work programme of the Assessment and Technical Assistance Office and CTED, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; • Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including planning and organizing the activities, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on activities' performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. • Supervises the preparation of briefings and special events for the Committee on thematic or regional issues. Reviews and provides draft recommendations for CTC's consideration that focus on more effective and detailed implementation by States of relevant Security Council resolutions and international instruments on counter-terrorism, contributes to promoting international cooperation to further the implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2396 (2019), 2617 (2021), 2810 (2025) and other relevant resolutions; • Reviews the preparation of the global implementation survey and their updates on State's counter-terrorism strengths, shortfalls and good practices. • Supervises and coordinates activities of the Section to partner with other UN entities, international, regional and sub-regional organizations to facilitate, and where required, coordinate, follow-up activities that can build capacity in counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism; • Liaises and conducts active dialogue with Member States, international/regional and sub-regional organisations, and civil society as appropriate to promote understanding of Security Council resolutions. • Serves as CTED focal point with relevant UN entities, including UNOCT relevant Working Groups where relevant as well as with other relevant international and regional entities. • Represents CTED in international and regional events, as needed. • Recruits staff for Section taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under her/his supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and across organizational boundaries. • Undertakes other office assignments and tasks as necessary.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: • Extensive knowledge of international norms and standards related to counter-terrorism in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions. • Expertise in complex legal analysis or law enforcement counter-terrorism measures and in negotiation. • Has a proven ability to produce reports and papers on highly complex political, legal and technical issues and is able to review and edit the work of others. • Understands UN policies, regulations, rules and guidelines and understands the nuances of applying them. • Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of international law and best practices on counter-terrorism matters. • Remains conscientious, efficient and effective in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving meaningful results. • Regularly demonstrates motivation and initiative for professional rather than personal reasons. • Consistently work with persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and remain calm in stressful situations. 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. 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, or related field. 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecutorial or international legal cooperation or related areas is required Experience in management—covering administrative, policy-making or leadership position is required. Experience with counter-terrorism matters is required. Work experience related to Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

.headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /color: rgb(65, 98, 145);/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment or assignment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2026 are encouraged to apply: Un-represented: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions