RULE OF LAW OFFICER

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 74,649 USD and 153,170 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 These positions are located in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in the Rule of Law Advisory Section, duty stations Juba, Wau and Bentiu. These duty stations are all classified in the “E” category and a non-family duty station. The Rule of Law Advisory Section is charged with supporting government efforts to rebuild justice sector institutions, implement the peace agreement, promote accountability for gross violations of human rights, and reform the security sector. The Rule of Law Officer will report directly to the Senior Rule of Law Officer and the relevant Heads of Field Office.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Senior Rule of Law Officer and the relevant Heads of Field Office and overall guidance of the Chief of Service, Rule of Law, the Rule of Law Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead sub-national rule of law engagements in several field offices to strengthen accountability and access to justice in complex situations, contributes to transforming local and regional conflict dynamics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with interlocutors in the Government and civil society.
• Develop and implement key components for a policy framework related to the rule of law and strengthening of the criminal justice system and related institutions that are tailored to local conditions and assessed needs including, but not limited to, improving coordination and cooperation among national actors along the rule of law chain, promoting pro-active engagement by government officials on rule of law issues in support of the peace process, enhancing the capacity of local institutions and actors, and supporting the deployment of mobile courts or other accountability solutions.
• Perform programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing, coordinating, and evaluating performance of seconded corrections and justice experts, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates. Provide policy and operational advice to Senior/Chief Rule of Law, assist in programming related activities at the sub-national level and handle a wide range of multi-disciplinary, complex and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters involving issues pertaining to criminal justice, national security policy, reform of the security sector and reform of the judicial system and related institutions.
• Provide innovative technical advice and assistance to local officials and other stake holders to ensure cohesive and coordinated programme delivery.
• Contribute to the development of the rule of law strategic plan and policy making framework by conducting extensive research and analysis on local conflict drivers and potential interventions, and prepare or assist in the preparation of a variety of written outputs on a range of issues relating to the delivery of rule of law sector services, promotion of international standards, implementation of programmatic interventions, and reforms to the national rule of law framework to promote a durable peace.
• Assist in conducting programme activities in areas of concentration (e.g. gender justice, juvenile justice, etc.) to include advising and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating and organizing workshops and consultations, and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating and organizing workshops and consultations, supporting national criminal justice system organization, supporting training of national actors and/or monitoring of the courts and legal system, including other field offices, if required.
• Advise on and prepare complex legal research and analysis and outputs, such as work unit reports and assessments, policy documents, guidelines, briefings, etc.
• Participate in legislative reviews, and draft commentaries and other relevant documents.
• Represent the mission and serve on various standing boards and committees, as required.
• Support and participate in national level coordination, planning and/or reform processes and donor coordination to include supporting the completion of major reviews of the criminal justice sector and the development of long-term national strategic plans.
• Provide training to junior staff under her/his supervision.
• Ensure effective knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for and inclusion of local actors in all judicial and legal system initiatives.
• Assist in identifying, establishing and maintaining contacts and partnerships with other actors (national and international) in assigned areas of responsibility with a view to pursuing work programme objectives and enabling participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of judicial affairs activities.

• Perform other relevant duties as required.

  Competencies •Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the section’s mandate and strategic direction. Demonstrated understanding of a range of issues related to rule of law chains, including prosecution, judiciary, and corrections, as well as legal systems, reform, capacity building, etc. Knowledge of criminal law, relevant international human rights standards, etc. Demonstrated understanding of planning, programmatic engagement and coordination. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on judicial affairs initiatives in assigned country/area. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). 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.

•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Planning and 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) in law is required. A first-level university degree in any field, with a bar qualification or equivalent, in combination with two additional years of relevant legal experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A first-level university degree in law, in combination with two additional years of relevant academic qualifications and/or additional legal experience in the field of rule of law assistance, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in implementing law reforms and overseeing the implementation of national policies and plans in rule of law and security matters is required.

  Experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, or adviser in the field of justice is required.

  A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working on justice support issues or rule of law development in an international, governmental or non-governmental organization is required.

  A minimum of one year of experience working on the ground providing technical assistance for the development or reform of legal, rule of law or judicial institutions in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required.

  Experience with analysis and planning and implementation of rule of law engagements is required.

  Experience working in rule of law development in both corrections and justice is desirable.

  Management experience is desirable.

  Experience providing services in the field of Rule of Law or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

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

  Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.