Legal Affairs Specialist, P-3, Office of Executive Director, Copenhagen

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,294 USD and 175,847 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.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, commitment

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations

(a) Describe the type of decisions regularly made and the impact of those decisions:

Decisions that reflect poor judgment or knowledge can compromise the Organisation's interests. Inaccurate or incomplete advice can lead to decisions that compromise the organisation's interests. In the worst case, these can put the Organisation at risk.

(b) Describe the type of recommendations regularly made and why they are important:

Recommendations relate to a wide range of organizational activities and interests, and concern, among other things, the interaction of the Organisation with governments and other major organisations. These recommendations can be a crucial factor in UNICEF's decision-making.

(c) Describe the most damaging error(s) that could be made in the performance of the job, and their consequences:

The position is an advisory and support function. Erroneous advice by the incumbent could cause the organisation to enter into commitments on the basis of incorrect opinions in law or fact, therefore exposing the organisation to potential liability and resulting in potential financial loss. This could ultimately affect the ability of the organization to be accountable to its stakeholders and result in loss of credibility as well as funding from member states and other donors, both public and private.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Section and direct supervision of one of the Legal Affairs Specialist (P4), the Legal Affairs Specialist will provide guidance and advice on institutional and commercial procurement, donor agreements and contracts related to programme support and project implementation to ensure adherence to organizational financial, procurement, contracting and legal policies, rules and procedures; and to ensure that the organization is protected from legal exposure.

1. Support more senior members of the Office in advising and providing support on contracts and other legal instruments, agreements, and arrangements (including but not limited to funding agreements with private sector donors and other international organizations) by developing draft agreements and term sheets, identifying risks and possible mitigation strategies and proposing these to more senior members of the Office, and other tasks.
2. Support more senior members of the Office in advising on the legal dimensions of establishment, structure and implementation of UNICEF collaborations with external partners including but not limited to other UN organisations (including international financial institutions), civil society, and the private sector (such as, by way of example only, in connection with the design and establishment of UNICEF shared value partnerships) by developing draft agreements and term sheets, identifying risks and possible mitigation strategies and proposing these to more senior members of the Office, and other tasks.
3. Support more senior members of the Office in advising on the resolution of disputes, particularly those disputes involving possible liability for the Organisation (under the general guidance of the Legal Adviser and the Senior Legal Affairs Specialist).
4. Support more senior members of the Office in advising on the legal interpretation of decisions, regulations, rules, procedures, and pertinent administrative instructions.
5. Other duties as directed.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Must have a minimum of a post-graduate university law degree (for example. Ll. B post-graduate; Ll.M.; J.D.) in a relevant field of law (e.g. international law, commercial law); and must have excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills.
• Should have a minimum of five (5) years' professional experience as a lawyer practicing in a relevant field including as in-house counsel, a law firm, a government and/or an international organization’s legal office. Prior experience in the UN system is an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is highly desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing- III
• Formulating strategies and concepts - II
• Relating and Networking - Il
• Persuading and Influencing- IlI
• Creating and Innovating – II

OTHER TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments;
• Excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills;
• Excellent verbal communication and negotiation skills;
• Client orientation; constructive approach to resolution of problems;
• Ability to work with utmost discretion in handing sensitive and confidential matters.

Excellent interpersonal skills with staff at all levels.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

[Remove below text if not a child safeguarding elevated risk role]

[If applicable] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert diversity profile] are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.