Legal Officer

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 168,113 USD and 216,746 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 within the Support and Sharing Section (SSS) of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (Mechanism). The incumbent will be responsible for managing projects and staff under the direct supervision of the SSS Senior Legal Officer.

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

• Coordinates and directs the work of a multidisciplinary team dealing with Requests for Assistance (RFAs) submitted to the Mechanism by national or other relevant authorities, planning and chairing meetings as required;
• Provides oversight and coordination to the preparation of cooperation agreements between the Mechanism and third parties including States, contributes as required to the building of case files, and provides support on a wide range of multidisciplinary and complex legal and administrative matters, either independently or in cooperation with other sections of the Mechanism;
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of communications and, where applicable, documents to be shared with national or other relevant authorities in response to RFAs or proactively;
• Provides legal and policy advice to the Senior Legal Officer and, where appropriate, the Head and Deputy Head of the Mechanism on sharing and cooperation with national or other relevant investigative and prosecuting authorities;
• Attends in-house briefings and meetings, providing updates or legal and/or policy advice as required;
• Assesses whether in respect of specific RFAs received there is a need for the Mechanism to prioritise specific collection activities and makes recommendations accordingly;
• Assesses more generally whether RFAs received identify possible avenues for Mechanism investigations and makes recommendations accordingly;
• Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal memoranda, reports, and correspondence; and

• Performs other assignments as requested by the SSS Senior Lega1 Officer, Head or Deputy Head of the Mechanism.

  Competencies - PROFESSIONALISM: Sound knowledge of the international criminal law framework and international humanitarian law principles; Sound knowledge of the functioning of criminal investigations and prosecutions at the national or international levels and experience in litigation; Ability to apply legal expertise to analysing a diverse range of complex issues and in developing innovative solutions; Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Encourages others to set challenging goals; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

  Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, criminal law or international criminal law is required. A first level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience, of which at least five in international criminal law and three in criminal adjudication either at the national level or with an international accountability mechanism is required.

  Experience in team management is desirable.

  Experience in relation to the Middle East is desirable.

  Experience as a prosecutor, adjudicator or counsel with a court or tribunal dealing with core international crimes, or as a legal officer with an international criminal law accountability mechanism is desirable.

  Experience dealing with Requests for Assistance (RFA) in a judicial context is desirable.

  Experience drafting cooperation frameworks or memoranda of understanding is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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

  Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

Fulfillment of the responsibilities of this position may necessitate engagement with material and/or information that may be distressing.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

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.