Conducts basic research on assigned issues, using existing legal files and alternative sources (e.g. computer-assisted searches using the internet, intranet or other databases); verifies facts, identifies citations, precedents, issues to be addressed, etc., and drafts statements of findings, respondent replies to appeals, etc. for review by the Legal Adviser and Chief of Protocol .
Assists in the maintenance of a body of legal reference files, both paper and electronic, to ensure rapid retrieval of critical information; conducts reference searches upon request; reviews material and determines appropriate file classification category; identifies material for inclusion in files; coordinates with Archives on retirement, storage and retrieval of files; participates in initiatives to enhance existing systems for records management and retrieval, including development of proposals for consideration.
Reviews, verifies and processes legal instruments, ensuring conformity to relevant guidelines and requirements, including those related to procurement process extracts key data and update database; monitors requisite follow-up actions, approvals, etc.
Reviews and checks for clearance all type of inter institutional agreements and MoUs between ECLAC and other institutions and organizations, ensuring conformity to relevant guidelines and legal requirements of the Organization;
Supports the Legal Adviser and Chief of Protocol in the enforcement of the rules of procedure and terms of reference of the Commission regarding the operation and functioning of the intergovernmental system of ECLAC and its organs, which includes the preparation and support in the negotiation of Host Country Agreements (HCA) between ECLAC and countries of the region for intergovernmental conferences and meetings and draft Annex Alfa for intergovernmental meetings regarding security measures for those meetings. For the 2022 year it is expected that the Legal Consultant will serve the following meetings: (a) Twenty-ninth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Council for Planning of ILPES (date TBC), (b) Eighth Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (c) Thirty-ninth session of the Commission (date TBC), (d) Sixty-second meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (26-27 January), (e) Fifteenth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (f) Fifth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (g) Fifth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development (8-10 March), (h) Twenty-ninth session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (date TBC), (i) Fifth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (j) Fifth session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (TBC 28 -30 June), (k) Twenty-first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of ECLAC (date TBC), (l) First Conference of the Parties of the Escazú Agreement (20 - 22 April), (m) First meeting of the Regional Conference of South-South Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC);
Supports the Legal Adviser and Chief of Protocol in his/her participation in the Local Committee on Contracts (LCC), in the Grants Committee and in the Local Property Survey Committee;
Drafts materials to be discussed in bilateral meetings and prepare reports and Note Verbales to provide assistance to LACOP in the areas to which the Legal Advisory and Protocol Office provides support in UN ECLAC. Particularly, in the follow up of the Host Country Policies regarding COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the UN Staff entering, staying and leaving the country;
Drafts, edits and conducts final check for accuracy of a variety of specialized documentation, legal publications, and related correspondence
Manages individual case files, maintaining and updating detailed “docket sheets” and ensuring that all related correspondence and other documentations are appropriately filed, registered and followed up as necessary.
Independently handles a variety of relatively complex verbal and written inquiries from internal and external parties, including providing detailed information on processes and procedures related to a range of legal activities, instruments, issues, etc.
Services various committees and other meetings and training activities, including assisting in the preparation of pre-, in- and post-session documents, preparation of draft of Journal and summaries, notes for the Chairman; coordinates with relevant units; prepares and updates programme of work, delegation and documents lists; tracks status of meetings and monitors follow-up actions, etc. These services include the substantive and logistic support for the 2022 Regional Course on International Law, to be held during four weeks in May;
Provides technical assistance for meetings arrangements and servicing,
Assists the Legal Adviser and Chief of Protocol in the coordination of ceremonies (e.g. signings, high level bilateral meetings, etc.) and related meetings which require protocol assistance, ensuring timely receipt of legal instruments and other requisite documentation, ensuring protocol precedence, and the application of protocol and procedural rules in the use of the floor and presidium arrangements. In particular, the Legal Consultant will provide these services during the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Escazú Agreement in April 2022;
Maintains internal databases on cases for tracking and trend analysis; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases and posting of documents on the website.
Provides general office support services; processes, drafts, edits, proofreads and finalizes for signature/approval a variety of correspondence and other communications, specialized legal documentation; sets up and maintains files/records (electronic and paper); schedules appointments/meetings, monitors deadlines, etc.
Provides guidance and training to less experienced staff.
Performs other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: University degree in Law is required. A master’s degree in legal affairs related to the job description is desirable. Experience: At least five years of experience in paralegal work, general office support or related area. Working experience in the private or public sector -including litigation at the judiciary in the host country of UN ECLAC- is desirable. Working experience in legal affairs in an international organization will be an asset. Knowledge of legal affairs related to the activities of non-governmental organizations is desirable. Language: Fluency in oral and written Spanish is required. Working knowledge of English is desirable

Additional Information Expected outputs/ Deliverables
Draft and review of fifteen memorandum of understanding monthly (approximately) in the negotiation and the signing process.
Support in the preparation of draft host countries agreements, if applicable, and related legal documents (exchanges of notes, etc) for the following Subsidiary Bodies and Intergovernmental Meetings: (a) Twenty-ninth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Council for Planning of ILPES (date TBC), (b) Eighth Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (c) Thirty-ninth session of the Commission (date TBC), (d) Sixty-second meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (26-27 January), (e) Fifteenth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (f) Fifth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (g) Fifth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development (8-10 March), (h) Twenty-ninth session of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (date TBC), (i) Fifth meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC), (j) Fifth session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (TBC 28 -30 June), (k) Twenty-first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of ECLAC (date TBC), (l) First Conference of the Parties of the Escazú Agreement (20 - 22 April), (m) First meeting of the Regional Conference of South-South Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean (date TBC)
Support the LACOP in the commitments related to the hosting in ECLAC of the 2022 Regional Course on International Law (May 2022) organized by the Codification Division /OLA / UNHQ and with the support of the Chilean MOFA and UN ECLAC;
Support to the Legal Advisor in the review of cases addressed to the Local Committee on Contracts, Grants Committee and in the Local Property Survey Committee for the meetings scheduled from January to December 2022 (at least 25 meetings in the year).
Draft of Note Verbal’s for the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chilean Judiciary and support on the follow up of legal cases away UN ECLAC headquarter, on a monthly basis demand.
Elaboration of legal comments and opinions of use of UN logo and emblem and use of images and audiovisual content (200 cases annually, approximately), enforcing UN ECLAC Circulars of the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Protocol services under request, depending on the number of meetings or level of guest UN ECLAC authorities.

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.