Legal Researcher

Result of Service An organized and updated OSLA Library, focusing on key practice documents such as legal research and reference materials. These reference materials will have been updated with analysis of relevant jurisprudence and statutory developments relating to the procedural and substantive practice of OSLA counsel before the UN Tribunals. In addition, outdated or redundant materials will have been removed from the OSLA Library.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities The Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) provides legal assistance to staff and litigates cases on behalf of eligible staff members before the Tribunals of the UN’s formal justice system (UNDT/UNAT) and maintains a large amount of information related to its mandate. This information includes legal submissions and pleadings, administrative issuances of various internal organizations, key practice guides, and legal research materials, including relevant statutory and jurisprudence reference documents. OSLA requires a streamlined and updated Library that would allow staff to access these reference materials efficiently and with the confidence that relevant Tribunal rulings and Rules of Practice are up-to-date. These updated reference materials will facilitate legal research and drafting, contribute to more efficient knowledge-sharing, and preserve institutional memory.

Under the supervision of the Chief of OSLA, the consultant will inter alia perform the following duties:

• Undertake a comprehensive review, organize and update OSLA Library resources:
• Conduct legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in international law.
• Select relevant material, analyze information and present findings for internal review.
• Assist Legal Officers in reviewing legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifying important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.
• Update OSLA’s “Annotated UN Law of Court Practice” practice guide, through accurate and comprehensive legal research, review and analysis of the jurisprudence of the UN Tribunals, as well as other international administrative bodies, as it relates to procedural and substantive aspects of OSLA’s practice.
• Prepare relevant case summaries on new developments in the Tribunals’ jurisprudence and Rules of Practice.
• Identify, review and update similar documents and reference materials in need of updating.
• Identify and remove outdated or redundant reference materials and documents from the OSLA Library.

• Additional research and organizational tasks as may be assigned.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

• A university degree in law, international law, administrative law, or related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in legal research, preferably in the area of international law, administrative law or court practice, is required.
• Experience in legal analyses is required.
• Experience in case management and managing legal data is required.
• Experience in administrative law in an international organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of international administrative tribunal practice is desirable.
• Experience working in international organizations is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English.

• Knowledge of French is desirable.

  Additional Information Other skills and competencies:

• Excellent research, writing, analytical, organizational and communication skills.

• Familiarity with online legal research tools.
• Ability to multitask and work to deadlines.

• Track-record of working independently.

  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.