Legal Senior Analyst

Contract

This is a IICA-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - IPAS

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:

Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding of solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.

Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.

Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.

You can meet our team and get a sneak peek of our working environment in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8CyuSqczvI&feature=youtu.be

Background Information - Job-specific

The IPAS Legal Analyst reports to the Legal Specialist in IPAS Legal under the overall supervision of the IPAS legal team lead. He/she is responsible for delivering on the three areas of supporting operations, business efficiency and knowledge management. For IPAS Legal this translates into daily interactions with country offices and regional offices to provide sound and accurate legal advice on contractual matters. IPAS Legal team works closely with other IPAS units, in particular Finance and Project Management/Infrastructure, to review new engagements with funding sources, with a focus on identifying potential risks and opportunities and to ensure they are in line with corporate policy and compliance framework.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision and guidance of the Legal Specialist, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring that timely legal advice is provided, which focuses on providing solutions to IPAS Legal’s clients. This requires close interactions not only with country offices, but also with other IPAS practice teams, policy groups and regional offices. It also requires a good understanding of the diverse environment in which UNOPS operates.

In order to exercise his/her legal responsibilities, the incumbent acts with designated authority provided by the General Counsel. The incumbent will work in accordance with the instructions established by the General Counsel.

The incumbent will be expected to identify and escalate complex and high risk matters to the IPAS Legal Team Lead. The incumbent will be expected to travel from time to time.

Under the supervision of the Legal Specialist the incumbent shall:

1) Support UNOPS operations through advice on institutional and commercial legal matters such as:

• Assist with reviewing legal agreements and amendments, with a focus on identifying legal risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPAS reviewers and the IPAS Legal Team Lead, escalate issues identified to supervisor;
• Draft and support the review of legal agreements and contracts;
• Prepare material and research for the negotiation of legal agreements and contracts with UNOPS partners and/or funding sources;
• Identify and suggest risk mitigation strategies for the Organisation;

• In coordination with the IPAS Legal Team and other IPAS legal advisors, assist with the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices to the field offices;

  2) Contribute to business efficiency:

• Conduct research and analyze issues to contribute to efforts aiming at addressing country and project challenges;

• Contribute with other IPAS units to system enhancements;
• Support the development and improvement of the UNOPS regulatory framework through feedback;
• Support corporate and cross-functional initiatives.

3) Build and maintain an active body of legal knowledge:- Contribute to legal knowledge and information management within the team and across the Organisation; - Keep abreast of external legal developments and best practises; - Provide regular feedback to internal clients on legal issues, risks and possible areas of improvement.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in law, or a closely related area is required.
• A first-level university degree in law (Bachelor’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Admission to practice law in any national jurisdiction is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) and 2 additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of post-graduate experience analysing legal issues and conducting legal research is required, preferably with an international organisation, government agency or legal office.
• Experience in the application of regulations and rules, policies, procedure and decision-making processes of an international organisation is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in legal drafting and ability to draft accurately, clearly and concisely under time pressure.
• Demonstrated experience in communicating complex legal concepts across a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated field experience in a development context is an advantage.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English (reading, speaking and reading) is required.
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: I-ICA1 Contract duration: open-ended, subject to satisfactory performance, business need and budget.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.