General Counsel

Contract

This is a D-2 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 16 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 258,720 USD and 326,557 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.

Background Information - Job-specific

Role of the General Counsel

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, the General Counsel will provide legal advice to the Executive Office that guides organizational priority setting and decision-making within the overall framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and UNOPS Strategic Plan and in line with UNOPS’s mandate. The General Counsel leads and ensures efficient and effective management of the Office of the General Counsel of UNOPS, including its personnel and financial resources. He/she works closely with the management team to ensure effective communication and information flow that facilitates smooth and predictable risk management and decision-making.

The Office of the General Counsel (which includes the Legal Group) leads the provision of legal strategy and advice throughout the organization on all matters, except for those which the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, who exercises primacy in leading the central legal service for all UN entities under the authority of the Secretary-General, takes the lead. The General Counsel represents the UNOPS Executive Director and/or the organization at legal meetings/conferences, including the established Legal Advisor Networks.

The General Counsel acts as the highest level of legal advisory in UNOPS and is responsible for sign off on any key international instruments etc. and interpreting, in consultation with and as appropriate under the direction of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (UN/OLA), the applicability to the organization of any instruments established by the United Nations Secretary-General. The role identifies the legal implications of the organization's major decisions, strategies and initiatives, services and transactions. The General Counsel also oversees aspects of provision of legal advice in all operational areas including grievances and disputes, including under administrative law practice in the UN.

The ideal candidate would have technological awareness, keep abreast of available technology, understand the applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office, and actively seek to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Also, the successful candidate would show a willingness to learn new technology.

Functional Responsibilities

The key functions and accountabilities include: - Serves as the head of the Office of the General Counsel (including the Legal Group)and is responsible for providing the highest quality legal analysis and advice to the Executive and Deputy Director(s) and the management team on a wide range of complex and strategic issues in relation to UNOPS operations in Headquarters, Regional Offices, Country and Project Offices. - Provide strategic direction, leadership, and guidance to the Deputy General Counsel in the development of a legal strategy that promotes and protects organizational interests, minimizing exposure to legal and financial liability. - Lead and/or provide legal advice in relation to senior-level negotiations of complex contracts, and other legal instruments, agreements and arrangement with external partners (including but not limited to other United Nations organizations), civil society and the private sector. - Prepare and/or lead the preparation of legal opinions on cases involving unusual and/or complex legal issues, including cases for which no precedent exists. - Provide strategic direction, leadership, and guidance to the Deputy General Counsel in the review, negotiation, and settlement of claims and disputes arising from agreements, contracts, and other arrangements. - In close consultation with, and as appropriate under the direction of UN/OLA, negotiate and establish host country, conference and other agreements, as well as legal texts and instruments required for the conduct of operational activities, carried out by UNOPS in the various Member States. - In close consultation with, and as appropriate under the direction of UN/OLA, provide legal advice on issues relating to the status, privileges and immunities of the United Nations, its officials and experts on mission, including with respect to matters of criminal accountability. - Provide strategic direction, leadership, and guidance to the Deputy General Counsel in the identification and advice on areas where challenges may be warranted to standard forms of contracts and agreements to strengthen UNOPS’s accountability and its effectiveness and efficiency. - Ensure that the outputs produced by the Office of the General Counsel maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. - Prepare written responses and other submissions as required on behalf of the Secretary-General in response to applications and other submissions filed before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). - Represent the Administration before the UNDT, including but not limited to, in directions hearings and hearings on the merits. - Attend to all stages of proceedings before the UNDT, including the conduct of settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required. Liaise with UN/OLA regarding UNDT cases involving UNOPS, UN/OLA’s representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), in cases involving UNOPS, and other administration of justice-related issues. - Represent UNOPS at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; provide programmatic/substantive expertise on legal issues, and/or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. - Foster a positive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure appropriate focus on team wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, and that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Advanced university degree in Law ( LLM or J.D.) with specialization preferably in public international law is required. - Admittance to the Bar of a Member State of the United Nations, or otherwise qualified to practice law, is required.

Experience: - A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience advising on issues of public and/or private international law, including the law and practice of international organizations, is required. - A minimum of two years of professional experience in a senior managerial and advisory position in the legal office of a government ministry or department or an international organization is required. - Professional legal experience dealing with the settlement of disputes and litigation is desirable. - An impeccable record of integrity and professional, ethical standards is essential. - Excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills are required.

Language: - Full working knowledge of English. - Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Candidates appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.