LEGAL OFFICER

Mid Senior Legal

Overview

Provide legal advice and support within UNRWA operations.

You have:

• A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law is required.
• At least six years of progressively responsible relevant work experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organizations, in government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO is required.
• Familiarity with the UN system and practices is desirable.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
• Candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which they are a national.

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. More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

The Legal Officer reports to the Head Field Legal Office.

Responsibilities Provides legal advice and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment law and other relevant issues, including the interpretation and application of the Agency's regulatory framework relating to administrative and disciplinary measures; and assists in responding to decision review requests falling under the purview of the Field Office Director with a view to minimizing risks in terms of litigation for the Agency.

Drafts, reviews and assists in the negotiation of all types of Field-related contractual modalities, including contracts for the procurement of goods and/or services, use of land, lease agreements, memoranda of understanding with partners and funding agreements and other legal documents related to the Field operation.

In coordination with the Head Field Legal Office, and, as necessary, with the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA), assist in the provision of advice on the status, mandate, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel in the Field; and on the application of relevant public international law, including UN law, international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice, particularly as it relates to the protection of and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestine refugees in the Field.

Provides legal advice, training and outreach on the interpretation and application of relevant public international law, including treaty law, UN law, international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice.

Advises on the resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency and its staff members in their official capacity, including overseeing, supporting, and conducting negotiations, settlement and supporting arbitration proceedings (in coordination with DLA where relevant).

Assists in seeking access to and information about Agency staff in detention; interviewing staff during or after their release from detention, and if applicable advising upon applications for reinstatement and reemployment.

Advises on the interpretation and application of the Agency's regulatory framework, in particular, but not limited to UNRWA Area Staff Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, Procurement Framework, Financial Regulations and Organizational Directives.

Competencies UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

Planning and Organizing Analyzing Relating and Networking Adapting and Responding to Change Persuading and Influencing

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law.

Work Experience At least six years of progressively responsible relevant work experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organizations, in government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO is required.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required.

A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law is required.

Familiarity with the UN system and practices is desirable.

Languages Excellent command of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: Temporary Appointment until 31 December 2023.

The Legal Officer should be able to travel in the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org