LEGAL OFFICER (STAFF ASSISTANCE)

Contract

This is a RLG-16 contract. This kind of contract is known as Relocation Grant. More about RLG-16 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

The Legal Officer (Staff Assistance) reports to the Senior Legal Officer (Staff Assistance).

Responsibilities Communicates with staff to discuss and verify their complains and advises them on the applicability of rules and regulations; Provides advice and encourages staff to use informal dispute resolution options to improve relationships among staff and between staff and the Agency's management, thereby enhancing the trust and working environment.

Promotes and supports mediation efforts and provides staff with legal consultation to reach a settlement before turning it into a dispute. This includes convening meeting between the staff and the concerned Department, coordinates and follows up on resolutions.

Assists staff in understanding the procedures, processes, and timeframe of the appeal system. This includes drafting Decision Review Requests (DRR), filling appeals and related submissions before UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and/or United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The Legal Officer follows up with the Registrar, keeping staff informed. S/he explains the legal content of correspondences from the Agency to the staff; and may appear on their behalf at hearings before UNRWA Dispute Tribunal.

Liaises with UNRWA Departments on legal matters related to administrative decisions made by the Agency or to appeals submitted by staff to facilitate resolving disputes or implementation of decisions and other related matters.

Responds, independently to the verbal and written inquiries from staff members related to the interpretation and application of UNRWA Rules and Regulations, providing detailed information on processes related to disciplinary and appeal cases, other administrative issuances related to personnel questions and to UNRWA Dispute Tribunal Statute.

Conducts legal research on issues related to administrative law required for legal representation of staff members or for responding to their queries and advising them.

Plans and conducts orientation sessions to the staff members to raise their awareness on the applicable administrative justice system in the Agency, including its all levels, explanation to its process, procedures and required forms.

Confidentially manages the correspondences of all cases, organises, classifies, and saves them. Maintains and updates the case management database for his/her field and drafts reports, as required.

Competencies Competencies UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default.

- Planning and Organizing - Analyzing - Deciding and Initiating Action - Applying Technical Expertise - Coping with Pressure and Setbacks - Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to handle sensitive situations diplomatically; and proven ability to handle confidential information and materials. - Flexible, able to assess and analyse situations quickly, objectively and prudently. - Excellent knowledge of MS Office Suite, especially MS Outlook

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law or other related disciplines.

Job - Specific Qualification License to practice the profession in the host country is required.

Work Experience At least six years' of relevant experience in practicing law or legal advising in a public or business organisation or institution, including experience in administrative law or a related field is required.

A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law or other related disciplines is required.

License to practice the profession in the host country is required.

Experience in the application of international administrative law is desirable.

Knowledge of UNRWA or other United Nations common system agencies' staff rules and regulations is desirable.

Are you currently residing in Duty station. Please specify your current location is required.

Languages Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

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

Special Notice Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment for 3 years; including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need.

Grade and Salary, Grade 16 Monthly basic salary JD 1098.90 plus special occupation allowance (SOA) of 15.00% of the basic salary (SOA may change from time to time). Other benefits: Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.2% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Jordan, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.

Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post.

The Legal Officer (Staff Assistance) may be required to travel in the Agency's area of operations.

Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate.

For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under "Category" RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade.

Equivalency: Equivalency may apply for this post. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.

The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending.

UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.

The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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.