Legal Officer

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UNOG - United Nations Office at Geneva

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Monday 25 Jul 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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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 174,026 USD and 224,370 USD.

Salary for a P-4 contract in Geneva

The international rate of 90,970 USD, with an additional 91.3% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

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.

More about P-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the Legal and Policy Advisory Section, Human Resources Management Service at the United Nations Office, Geneva. Under the supervision of the Chief of Section, the Legal Officer provides support to management of UNOG and client organizations in the area of administrative law and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

- Supports UNOG management and client entities in responding to requests for Management Evaluation - Acts as counsel for Respondent before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). This includes preparing submissions on behalf of the Administration; representing the Administration in case management hearings and hearings on the merits; advising senior management on the filing of appeals and supporting the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) in the appeals procedure before the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT). - Promotes conciliation and identifies cases that are amenable to informal resolution. Conducts settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings with opposing counsels and ensures implementation of such settlement. Collaborates closely with the Office of the Ombudsman. - Reviews formal and informal complaints raised against UN staff members for alleged misconduct, including harassment, discrimination and abuse of authority. - Acts as strategic partner to counterparts in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), including Administrative Law Division (ALD), on disciplinary procedures. Monitors pending cases and ensures that disciplinary sanctions are implemented. - Liaises with the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) or other investigative bodies; Ensures that sound legal and procedural guidance is given to local fact-finding panels and that all procedural requirements are met. - Enhances knowledge within UNOG and client organizations about administrative legal matters, conflict of interest and matters of conduct and discipline through preparing and delivering trainings and briefings. - Identifies trends, lessons learned and best practices from past cases and monitors the jurisprudence of the Tribunals and inform stakeholders accordingly. - Provides legal advice on a broad range of issues involving substantive and procedural questions of Administrative Law and interpretation of the UN Staff Rules and Regulations and its policies. - Prepares legal opinions, performs legal research and analysis on a wide range of issues.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of UN rules and regulations is essential. Strong analytical skills. Sound judgment, initiative and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive materials. Knowledge of the jurisprudence of international administrative tribunals. 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 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 decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification A Master's degree with a specialization in international administrative law is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of administrative law is required, preferably with at least two years in an international organization.

Litigation experience is required.

Experience in handling conduct and discipline matters and knowledge of the jurisprudence of International Administrative Tribunals is desirable.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available for six months, with possibility of renewal. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

  • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

  • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

  • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

  • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

  • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

    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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org