Legal Officer

Volunteering Legal

Overview

Assist in managing evidence processes and provide legal support

You have:

• Professional experience in law, preferably as lawyer/litigator, prosecutor, judge, or legal officer with at least 2 years at the international level
• Previous experience supporting international tribunals and/or investigative mechanisms
• Experience in a UN field operation, especially in a conflict or post-conflict area
• Excellent oral and written skills; drafting and reporting skills
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

• As an active UNITAD team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNITAD and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Guidelines, protocols and standard operating procedures of the different units within the Office of Evidence Management are developed and/or reviewed, as required; • Requests and/or inquiries directed at the Office of the Chief of Evidence Management are addressed in a comprehensive and timely manner; • The Section’s relevant databases and registers for digital evidence management and analysis are well-maintained; • Workplans, programmes and budgets are developed and reviewed, as required; • Research assignments are carried out in a comprehensive and objective manner; written assignments such as reports, briefs, opinions, talking points and other legal documents and correspondence are client-oriented and concise. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Evidence Management or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Legal Officer will:

• Assist the Chief of Evidence Management in the coordination of the units within the Office of Evidence Management, including Forensic Science, Information and Evidence Management, and Digitization; • Maintain an up-to-date understanding regarding the evolving evidence holdings of the Investigative Team, and assist the Chief of Evidence Management in enforcing the coherent and consistent application of internal processes across the entirety of the evidence lifecycle, including in the areas of evidence collection, storage, management, analysis, and security; • Draft, review and advise on guidelines, protocols and standard operating procedures of the different units within the Office of Evidence Management; • Support the Chief of Evidence Management by preparing briefing notes, opinions, studies and talking points, and gathering background materials, as required; • Prepare and participate in official meetings and on-site visits; keep minutes of deliberations and prepare reports; review information gathered and identify necessary follow-up action; • Address and/or manage requests and inquiries directed to the Office of the Chief of Evidence Management; • Assist in maintaining the Section’s relevant databases and registers for digital evidence management and analysis; • Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence; • Conduct extensive research and provide detailed analyses on a wide range of legal issues; • Perform other duties as required.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility

progressively responsible experience (including at least 2 years at the international level) in law, preferably as lawyer/litigator, prosecutor, judge, or legal officer;
• Previous experience supporting international tribunals and/or investigative mechanisms is an asset; • Experience in a UN field operation, especially in a conflict or post-conflict area, is an asset; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

UN personnel in Iraq operate in a volatile security environment. In Erbil, personnel work in a secured compound with limited access outside of the city, which usually can only be done with stringent clearances and depending on the destination, a military escort. Erbil is a non-family duty station and is classified as a security risk moderate. UN personnel in Erbil live in Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS) compliant residences outside of the UN compound.

International personnel operating in Iraq must take online security awareness in the field training prior to arrival in Iraq and undertake a mandatory Security Induction Awareness Training (SAIT) immediately upon arrival. The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle in Erbil is 8 weeks, with the designated place of R&R being Amman, Jordan. Currently, there are UN flights (UN-AMI and UNHAS) to and from Iraq, covering Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan. There are many international flights to Erbil, Baghdad, and Basrah.

As this is an international UN Volunteer specialist assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. International UN Volunteers receive a volunteer living allowance to sustain a basic, adequate, and safe lifestyle. This allowance varies from one location to another depending on local living costs, but all International UN Volunteers specialists in the same location receive the same allowance. Below is a summary of the Conditions of Service. Allowances The purpose of allowances for international UN Volunteers specialists is to enable the international UN Volunteers to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for volunteer work. Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): All international UN Volunteers specialists are entitled to a monthly volunteer living allowance of USD 3,896.383 The purpose of this allowance is to cover the basic living costs of the international UN Volunteer. The allowance is to ensure that the volunteer can sustain a basic, adequate, and safe lifestyle. The monthly allowance rate is a fixed rate for the duty station as established by UNV headquarters. Iraq is a unique country and UNITAD is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org