LEGAL OFFICER/DEPUTY HEAD OF OFFICE

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 129,723 USD and 167,251 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 High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Guatemala. The incumbent reports to the OHCHR Guatemala Representative.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Legal Adviser / Deputy Head of Office is responsible for the following functions:

• Ensures coordination and fulfilment of Office objectives contributing to the formulation of human rights strategies and to the implementation of activities and outputs following international human rights law and standards.

• Serves as the Deputy Head of Office and Represents the Office in the absence of the OHCHR Head of Office in Guatemala and maintain regular contacts with the OHCHR Headquarters.

• Ensures integration of human rights including the gender dimension in all activities to be carried out by the Office.

• Supervises and coordinates the office’s human rights monitoring and documentation work related to cases (including on the legal classification of cases and follow-up action; communications with authorities; urgent actions; public declarations; and the communication with the human rights system) under the supervision of the Head of Office. Supervises the work on the database of cases as well as the up-dating and maintenance of the case handling manual.

• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country to integrate human rights perspective; maintain contact with key counterparts, including civil society, government, UN and international organisations.

• Provides legal advice and analysis on cases, public policies, capacity building to national authorities and legislative proposals related to the Office's mandate, including on compatibility of domestic legislation with international standards;

• Elaborates in cooperation with the staff responsible for institutional strengthening, the content of Office's activities in accordance with the needs identified, through the observation of the human rights situation.

• Analyzes and evaluates the compliance with the recommendations from the Human Rights Mechanisms including the Special Procedures, the Treaty Bodies and the Universal Periodic Review and the Human Rights Council and coordinate the Office's work with these mechanisms.

• Participates in elaborating the capacity building activities that relate to legal aspects (especially those related to mechanisms and standards from the United Nations) in coordination with entities including universities, legal institutions, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and journalists.

• Provides advice to the Head of Office on human rights for the elaboration of strategies, public declarations and recommendations;

• Contributes to the elaboration of legal publications and other dissemination activities on aspects concerning international human rights law and the United Nations human rights mechanisms.

• Contributes to the global analysis of the Office's work (including priorities, the preparation and submission to headquarters of monthly, thematic studies and annual reports including the High Commissioner’s report to the Human Rights Council, evaluations, and planning activities).

• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM. Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships and professional relationships with national authorities and NGOs. 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 ORGANISING. 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 tasks 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.

Education

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

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in the field of Human Rights is required.

Out of the seven years, a minimum of two (2) years of experience leading and managing a team of at least 10 is desirable.

Experience providing legal analysis and advice is desirable.

Experience in drafting human rights reports and/or thematic studies is desirable.

Experience providing technical assistance in the field of human rights is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required.

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 the funds.

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 in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.