Legal Officer - Special Assistant to the Deputy Head

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 138,772 USD and 181,712 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 within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) located in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will provide support to the Deputy Head of the IIIM in discharging the Deputy’s day-to-day duties within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant to the Deputy Head will be responsible for the following duties:

• Prepares in coordination with the Special Assistant to the Head and the External Relations Officer briefings for the Deputy Head’s meetings with external interlocutors as required; prepares background documentation and advice as to the content and direction of such meetings, attend such meetings, prepare summary documents of such meetings, and ensures follow-up to any actions decided on during such meetings.
• Assists the Deputy Head in providing support with the planning process and other areas concerning the IIIM’s substantive work, particularly with a view to ensuring a coordinated approach across the office and the integration of thematic strategies (gender, and children/youth, missing persons) into the IIIM’s work.
• Plans and organises, in coordination with the Staff Assistant, missions of the Deputy Head, prepares background materials and accompanies the Deputy Head on mission.
• Reviews all documentation, correspondence, and letters, including sensitive queries and requests; consults senior staff for their inputs and comments regarding the same as required, compiles summaries and/or makes recommendations to the Deputy Head based on an analysis of the information provided; drafts replies for the signature of the Deputy Head.
• Drafts policy papers, and reports (including to the General Assembly), as well as other documents as required. Drafts in coordination with the Special Assistant to the Head and the External Relations Officer speeches and public presentations for the Deputy Head.
• In coordination with the Special Assistant to the Head, liaises and maintains close working relations with the Deputy Head’s key external interlocutors, including within the diplomatic community, UN secretariat, other UN agencies, international organizations, and NGO’s.
• Stays abreast of current developments relevant to the IIIM’s work and provides advice; accordingly, reviews policy positions under consideration by the Deputy Head, for consistency of approach and assists in ensuring effective implementation.
• Assists in coordinating and enhancing internal communication between the Deputy Head and the IIIM’s staff; liaises with various staff members and follows up on direction from the Deputy Head.
• Coordinates special projects as directed by the Deputy Head.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Thorough knowledge of international affairs and of accountability processes for core international crimes; Ability to draft a broad range of written documents at a very high level, including correspondence, policy documents, presentations, speeches and legal documents; Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with a broad range of interlocutors, including diplomats, UN officials, civil society representatives and national prosecution authorities; 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.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science or international relations, or other relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in law, criminal justice, international relations, social or political affairs or related area, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.

Experience in an international context, e.g., a member state’s diplomatic corps or multilateral organization such as the UN or European Union), advising senior officials in law, human rights, political affairs, international relations, diplomacy, conflict resolution or related area is required.

Extensive experience in drafting high-level reports and other documents is required.

Experience working with an international accountability mandate is desirable.

Experience working on issues relating to the Syrian situation is desirable.

Experience regarding victim/survivor-centered approaches (including from a gender and child-sensitive perspective) is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Oct 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

Fulfillment of the responsibilities of this position may necessitate engagement with material and/or information that may be distressing.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

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.

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.