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 Specialized Technical Expertise and Research Branch of the Assessment & Technical Assistance Office, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). The incumbent reports to the Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Coordinator. This temporary vacancy is available through 31 December 2021, with the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities •Serves as a lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of financial crime, including the financing of terrorism, financial intelligence, financial investigations and illicit financial flows, to include identification of existing practices, challenges and policy options for States to implement counter-terrorism measures in compliance with their obligations under international law and international human rights standards on right to privacy and data protection and sustainable development goals (SDG) 16 and to better inform Member States, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), CTED and other UN Global Compact Counter-Terrorism entities, including the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT); •Performs extensive legal research and analysis and contributes to the enhancement of CTED’s targeted and focused assessments on complex and emerging CFT related issues such as Member States’ capacity to effectively use financial intelligence and financial investigations in counter-terrorism efforts, identifying existing practices, challenges and policy options for States, in compliance with relevant standards, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law; •Provides legal advice on diverse substantive questions of considerable complexity, including on the linkages between organized crimes, terrorism and its financing and evolving CFT-related trends and threats based on resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019) and 2482 (2019); •Advises and facilitates the delivery of technical assistance aimed at supporting the establishment of professional development systems for CFT and financial crime practitioners, taking into account new requirements and standards in these areas; and provides specialized recommendations aimed at enhancing inter-agency operational coordination mechanisms to disrupt and prevent the financing of terrorism, including through the misuse of new technologies and payment methods as required by relevant UNSC resolutions and other applicable standards; •Serves on various ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the organization at meetings, conferences, and seminars. •Provides substantive backstopping to CTED Senior Management and to special meetings of the CTC or meetings involving CTED participation, relating to countering the financing of terrorism, including providing substantive inputs to agenda items, identification of experts, preparation of documents and topical presentations. •Initiates activities and initiatives aimed at strengthening CTED partnerships with relevant regional or multilateral stakeholders UN entities, including UN Country Teams, possible donors and technical providers including UNOCT and UNODC to ensure translating recommendations into technical assistance programming, leveraging of resources and coordination of activities. •Contributes to review and design of new policy, relevant guidelines on assessment methodology and benchmark criteria on assessing the impact of CFT measures. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of international criminal law, financial crime law and international human rights law, and good knowledge on data privacy law. Solid knowledge and understanding of the UN counter-terrorism architecture and CFT-related requirements of the international counter-terrorism instruments, UN Security Council resolutions and standards recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF); extensive familiarity with the work of FATF and FATF-style regional bodies. Ability to apply expertise to analyzing a diverse range of legal and political issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in dealing with complex counter-terrorism problems. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal and political research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in writing and expression and ability to prepare briefs, opinions and a variety of documents. Discretion and sound judgment. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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& 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 Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal law, national security, financial crime or other related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in criminal law, financial crime, anti-money laundering and/or CFT, financial intelligence, law enforcement, criminal justice or related area is required. Experience in legal analysis and research as well as practical experience in the conduct of financial investigations or financial intelligence analysis is desirable. Experience related to counter-terrorism is desirable. Experience in implementation of sanctions-related measures, including exemption mechanisms, is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice This temporary vacancy is available through 31 December 2021, with the possibility of extension.

•A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further "stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…" Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. •Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. •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. •Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. •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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. •The expression "Internal candidates", shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. •Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. •For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. - The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English •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. •Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

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.