RULE OF LAW OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 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 The position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The position is based in El Fasher, which is classified as “E” hardship duty station and as non-family duty station. The position is based in El Fasher Regional Office. The incumbent will be under the dual supervision of the Head of Office and the Senior Rule of Law Officer in Khartoum.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Rule of Law Officer will be responsible for performing the following duties:

•The incumbent will 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 in Host country Darfur and the Two Areas, while implementing and advising on the legal framework institutional reform of the judiciary, prosecution service and law enforcement agencies rule of law institutions, traditional justice mechanisms and legal representations or aid. He/she will seek to support the consolidation of accountable, independent and coordinated criminal justice institutions in conflict-affected areas, ensuring effective linkages with national reform process and the implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection; •Coordinates with relevant Mission’s components and the United Nations country team on streamlining advocacy and strategic engagement and ensuring that programmatic interventions are aligned with the protection and political objectives of the Mission; •Provides policy and operational advice to senior management, assists in programming related activities at the local, State and national level and handles a wider range of multi-disciplinary, complex and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters involving issues pertaining to criminal justice policy, national security policy, reform of the security sector and reform of the judicial system and related institutions; •Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to local commissions and other stake holders within the international community located in Darfur and the Two Areas to ensure cohesive and coordinated programme delivery; •Contributes to the development of the rule of law strategic plan and policymaking framework in the context of the mission’s mandate and assist in the day-to-day coordination of key activities with other mission components and UN entities; •Takes the lead in conducting programme activities in Darfur and the Two areas to include advising and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating and organizing workshops and consultations, supporting national criminal justice system organization, training of national actors and/or monitoring of the court and legal system, including field offices, if required; •Advises on and prepares complex legal research and analysis and outputs, such as work unit reports and assessments on judicial independence, anti-corruption and accountability, policy documents and guidelines, briefings, etc.; •Participates in legislative reviews and drafts commentaries and other relevant documents; •Represents the mission and serves on various standing boards and committees, as required; •Supports and participates in national level coordination, planning and/or reform processes and donor coordination, to include supporting the completion of major reviews of the justice sector and the development of long-term national strategic plans; •Directs and manages teams, as required; develops and trains staff under her/his supervision; •Ensures 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; •Takes the lead in identifying, establishing and maintaining contacts and partnerships with other actors in Darfur and the Two Areas in assigned areas of responsibility with a view to pursuing work programme objectives and ensuring participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of judicial affairs activities; •Performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates; •Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of legal and judicial system issues, as well as relevant international justice and human rights standards, and transitional justice; capacity to adopt a strategic approach to the development of a justice system. Demonstrated ability to provide strategic normative advice on justice and anti-corruption issues related to policy reforms, while considering diverse positions of international and national stakeholders; demonstrated ability to deliver complex legal analysis papers and deliver briefings, including on complex matters to a diverse audience. Demonstrated ability to manage change and generate project funding in support of political priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; takes initiative; 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.

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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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.

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 improvement; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

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 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.

Work Experience At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in all areas of the criminal justice chain as a practicing lawyer, academic, prosecutor, judge, corrections officer, legal consultant or international legal assistance advisor, is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience providing technical assistance for the development/reform of legal or criminal justice institutions in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant's country of nationality, is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience providing services in the field of Rule of Law and Security Institutions or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization, is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a position requiring the drafting of complex reports and background papers, talking points, and correspondences on rule of law, criminal justice and anti-corruption is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in working as prosecutor, lawyer or judge in Africa is required. Experience in working on the development and implementation of accountability processes, and the use of informal or traditional justice mechanisms is desirable. Experience in providing strategic and policy advice in rule of law components on justice, corrections and accountability in Special Political Missions or, a comparable international organization, is desirable. Experience in working in the adjudication of war crimes and serious human rights violations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station specified in the Job Opening.

Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.