Senior Legal Affairs Specialist (Chief of Strategy) P-5, Office of the Executive Director, New York USA or home based (to be confirmed)

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child...

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Senior Legal Affairs Specialist (Legal Affairs Chief of Strategy), P-5. reports to the Chief Legal Counsel. This temporary position is available for the period of 8-12 months.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of the Chief Legal Counsel, and as part of a dedicated team, the Senior Leagal Affairs Specialist (Legal Affairs Chief of Strategy):

1. Provides leadership to the development and implementation of innovative and/or change management programmes within the Legal Office.
2. Assists the Chief Legal Counsel in implementing the Legal Office knowledge management, visibility/communications, and partnership/client management strategies, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
3. Identifies and implements innovative solutions and best practices for the Legal Office that address the priorities of UNICEF and foster culture of knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration.
4. Provides advice towards ongoing alignment and implementation of evolving Legal Office initiatives, strategies and operational practices, from the corporate and institutional perspective.
5. Assists the Chief Legal Counsel in identifying effective data, case management and administrative systems and overseeing their implementation and operation.
6. Identifies ways to maximize effective team work to ensure harmonization, collaboration, linkages and synergy and ensures that team members are provided sufficient information, guidance and support to perform their duties and deliver results.
7. Represents UNICEF at meetings, seminars and conferences as required.
8. As required, provide guidance and advice on institutional and commercial procurement, donor agreements and contracts related to programme support and project implementation to ensure adherence to organizational financial, procurement, contracting and legal policies, rules and procedures; and to ensure that the organization is protected from legal exposure.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Will have a minimum of a post-graduate university law degree in a relevant field of law (e.g. international law, commercial law); and will have excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills.
• Should have a minimum of 10 years` relevant experience as a practicing lawyer in a relevant area of law.
• Will have prior experience of working either in the UN System or within other international development organizations, or in private practice or as in-house counsel in private industry (which is highly desirable).
• Will be fluent in English (verbal and written) is required, and knowledge of one or more of the other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

Core competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing- III
• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts - II
• Relating and Networking - Il
• Persuading and Influencing- Ill
• Creating and Innovating – II

OTHER TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments;
• Excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills;
• Excellent verbal communication and negotiation skills;
• Client orientation; constructive approach to resolution of problems;
• Ability to work with utmost discretion in handing sensitive and confidential matters;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with staff at all levels.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF is currently undergoing organizational changes; while unlikely, the exact location of the post may change. Candidates may be requested to assume functions remotely, from their home base. If successful, applicants from the United Nations Common System may be considered for loan/secondment assignment. Similarly, if successful candidates from UNCIEF may be considered for stretch assignment or temporary assignment.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.