Legal Adviser

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 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 located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (SINCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The Legal Adviser will report to the Secretary of the INCB/Chief of the Secretariat. The Secretariat of the INCB is an administrative entity of UNODC reporting directly to the Board on substantive matters.

For more information on the work of the Board and its secretariat please consult www.incb.org.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Legal Adviser will be responsible for the following specific duties: - Serve as the main legal adviser to the Board which is the independent monitoring body for the implementation of the three United Nations international drug control conventions by providing specialized legal advice/support and technical input on complex legal issues/aspects to the Board and its Secretariat; - Prepare/draft documentation and provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of the three drug control conventions to the Board and its Secretariat; - Assist the Board in its evaluation of the consistency of national policy and legislation with the international legal drug control framework; - Perform extensive legal research and analysis and based on this prepare legal opinions for the Board and its Secretariat; - Participate in the servicing of the INCB sessions which take place three times a year as well as the servicing of missions of the Board; - Provide substantive inputs for the implementation of activities aimed at enhancing the ratification and implementation of and monitoring compliance with the drug control conventions and its protocols; - Represent the Board and its Secretariat at meetings, conferences and other missions, as required and promote the work of the Board at these meetings; - Serve on various standing committees and working groups of the Board; - Monitor and promote governments’ implementation of and compliance with the provisions of the three drug control conventions including reviewing national legislation and identifying gaps between national law and international standards required by the three treaties; - Provide expert advice and assistance in the formulation and drafting of relevant law and legal provisions necessary for governments to comply with the drug control conventions and international standards; - Conduct research on a range of legal issues in response to a variety of requests for advice and services; prepare draft analyses and propose solutions to problems or actions to be taken; - Organize and implement a variety of programme activities aimed at improving national, governmental and inter-governmental drug control policies, strategies, plans and cooperation; - In close consultation with the Board’s and its Secretariat on treaty-related matters prepare/draft a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports (such as the Board’s annual report and special reports), studies, summary reports, manuals, guides, toolkits, model legislation, etc. and ensure the timely preparation and submission thereof; - As required, coordinate the work of support staff members; mentor and guide interns and Associate Experts in their work; - Perform other work related duties as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of international public law, international treaty law and criminal law. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyze a diverse range of complex and sui generis legal issues and in developing innovative and creative approaches to address them. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal drafting and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in law, preferably in international law or related fields, with an understanding of treaty-based work and/or international conventions, is required.

A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.

Legal drafting experience is required.

Work experience in servicing intergovernmental bodies is required.

Experience in providing legislative assistance in the area of drug control or related field is desirable.

Experience in international relations 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 any of the other United Nations official languages is required.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This is a geographical post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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 on the basis of 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Vienna is classified as a H and family duty station.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.