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 171,387 USD and 220,969 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 Ombudsperson, a Special Political Mission administered and supported by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The incumbent will work under the substantive direction and guidance of the Ombudsperson appointed pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009). The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division while providing support to the Office of the Ombudsperson in carrying out its mandate.

Responsibilities Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch and a senior political affairs officer, the incumbent will work exclusively under the substantive direction and guidance of the Ombudsperson. He/she will provide substantive support to the Ombudsperson in fulfilling the mandate set out in Annex II of Security Council resolution 2368 (2017). The major responsibilities for this position will include, but are not limited to: (a) conducting extensive legal and open-source research, collecting, summarizing and analysing relevant material; (b) assisting with the drafting of factual and legal portions of the Comprehensive Reports of the Ombudsperson to the Committee; (c) ensuring continuous flow of information between the Ombudsperson, petitioners, the Committee and relevant Member States; (d) maintaining contacts with Permanent Missions and international organizations on issues related to the work of the Office of the Ombudsperson; (e) assisting with the preparation of, and accompanying, where necessary, the Ombudsperson to, interviews with petitioners, taking notes of meetings and drafting meeting summaries; (f) ensuring data consistency in the Ombudsperson's information system; (g) assisting with the preparation of reports and presentations; (h) supervising the Research Assistant supporting the Office of the Ombudsperson (i) providing legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to criminal investigations and prosecutions, etc; (j) performing extensive legal research and analysis and preparing legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence; and (k) preparing legal documents as necessary in the course of information-gathering.

Competencies Professionalism:

Detailed knowledge of Ombudsperson procedures as set out in resolution 2368 (2017). Knowledge of legal challenges to targeted Security Council sanctions, and of the steps taken by the Security Council to ensure its procedures for adding and removing individuals to/from sanctions lists are fair and clear. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature. Ability to interview witnesses and make substantial legal arguments. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Ability to appropriately handle confidential and strictly confidential information. Ability to draft and structure complex documents and to express fact summaries and concepts accurately and succinctly. 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.

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.

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.

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

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

Experience in drafting substantial opinions or conclusions, court decisions, reports or other documents is desirable.

Experience in a national or international judicial setting is desirable.

Experience working on human rights and due process issues, in particular in the context of counter-terrorism or sanctions, is desirable.

Experience in dealing with the policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable.

Experience assisting a senior official in the United Nations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 30 August 2024. 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.

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.

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

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.