PRINCIPAL LEGAL OFFICER

Overview

Lead provision of legal services for UNJSPF investments.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required.
• Admittance to the bar of, or otherwise qualified to practice law in, a Member State of the United Nations is required.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public and private international law is required.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in commercial law is required.
• Experience providing comprehensive general legal services to an international organization is required.
• Experience supervising the staff of an office, unit or team is required.
• Professional legal experience dealing with issues of international commercial law is required.
• Experience overseeing administrative tasks necessary to the functioning of a work unit is desirable.
• Experience providing legal advice on investment matters is desirable.
• Experience as a legal officer in the legal office of a United Nations or similar organization is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level II for all language skills.
• French is desirable at UN Level II for all language skills.

Contract

This is a D-1 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 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 226,009 USD and 285,201 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 General Legal Division (GLD) of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The incumbent reports to the Director of the General Legal Division (GLD) of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG is assisted in this function by the Office of Investment Management. OIM manages a multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the direction of the Director of the General Legal Division: •Provides and oversees the provision of the full range of general legal services in support of the investments of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). •Oversees the management of legal services and other activities in support of the investment activities of the UNJSPF undertaken by lawyers in the General Legal Division and the legal unit in the Office of Investment Management/UNJSPF and ensures that such legal services are provided in a timely and effective manner. •Provides, co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of advice on all legal aspects of the Fund's investments and related investment activities, including the negotiation of a wide range of agreements and documents relating to the investment of multiple classes of assets in global public and private markets, as well as associated custody, advisory and other related arrangements. •Provides, co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of legal advice on a wide range of highly complex international investment transactions in sectors such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure. •Co-ordinates and oversees the external legal advisors engaged by OLA to support the Office of Legal Affairs in the provision of specialised legal advice in support of the Office of Investment Management/UNJSPF; reviews and certifies invoices of external counsel. •Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of legal advice, and opinions on complex legal questions, including questions involving international commercial law, private and public international law, and the law and practice of the Organisation; counsels, acts for and, in major areas of a complex or novel nature, represents the Organisation, in negotiations; deals with a wide range of multidisciplinary and complex legal matters, including contentious claims, that require application of law, legal analysis and marshalling of detailed technical, commercial and financial fact situations; provides assistance and advice in connection with the Organization’s accountability measures; formulates and negotiates solutions and alternatives to problems for which no precedents exist and which involve major questions of international commercial law, private and public international law, administrative law, and which have a direct impact on the activities, programmes and policies of the Organization. •Co-ordinates and oversees the review of proposed administrative issuances, as well as reports to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. •Provides legal support in respect of the Fund’s reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. •Ensures that the legal services and advice produced by the lawyers under the Principal Legal Officer’s supervision maintain high-quality standards, that such services and advice are clear, objective and based on comprehensive facts and legal analysis. Ensures that all legal services and advice produced by the lawyers and support staff under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure that they comply with the applicable legal framework of the United Nations, including the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. •Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Division as it relates to the UNJSPF, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. •Undertakes or oversees the programmatic or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the lawyers and support staff under his/her supervision, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget and programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, recruitment of personnel, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. •Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical representation and gender balance. •Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. •Fosters teamwork and communication among lawyers and support staff under his/her supervision and across the Organisation. •Leads and supervises the organisation of meetings or other seminars on substantive issues being addressed by the lawyers and support staff under his/her supervision. Manages the substantive preparation and organisation of such meetings or seminars. •Serves in various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces of the UNJSPF and/or the UN Secretariat, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the Organisation at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. •Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Knowledge of the Charter of the United Nations and the law and practice of the Organization; of international law, including international commercial law, international arbitration, international contracts and procurement, banking law, insurance law and other areas of commercial law; of the law and legal regimes in relation to the activities and operations of the Organization and its subsidiary organs, including its separately administered funds and programmes, and peacekeeping and similar operations; and of the internal administrative law of the Organization. Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations. Ability to conduct comprehensive, independent legal research. Demonstrates professional competence; 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; and remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. •Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. •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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. •Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. •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 task 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) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admittance to the bar of, or otherwise qualified to practice law in, a Member State of the United Nations is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public and private international law, including the law of international organizations and international commercial law and related areas is required. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in commercial law (including international commercial law), including legal analysis, research and writing, acquired at a law firm or at the legal department of a global investment institution, government or multilateral development bank, or in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization is required. Experience in providing comprehensive general legal services to an international organization is required. Experience supervising the staff of an office, unit or team is required. Professional legal experience dealing with issues of international commercial law, privileges and immunities of international organisations, settlement of commercial disputes and litigation is required. Experience overseeing programmatic/administrative tasks necessary to the functioning of a work unit, including the preparation of budgetary inputs, reports on budget/programme performance, evaluations of staff performance and input for results-based budgeting is desirable. Progressively responsible experience providing legal advice on investment matters is desirable. Experience as a legal officer in the legal office of a United Nations, or similar international organization, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

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LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The recommendation or selection decision for this position shall be void if the recommended or selected candidate does not obtain a clearance according to ST/SGB/2005/7 on designation of staff members performing significant functions in the management of financial, human or physical resources.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.

Potential interview questions