TA (364 days): Legal Officer, P-2, Office of Executive Director, Geneva, PAT 120179

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,633 USD and 147,551 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, commitment

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 Legal Officer (P-2) reports to the Legal Affairs Specialist (P-3). The position is in the Office of the Executive Director, Legal Team, New York. This post is out-posted to Geneva.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Legal Affairs Specialist o/p GVA, and as part of a dedicated team, the Legal Officer will 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.

1. Independently, and in support of more senior members of the Office, advise and provide support on contracts and other legal instruments, agreements, and arrangements (including but not limited to funding agreements with private sector donors and other international organizations) by developing draft agreements and term sheets, identifying risks and possible mitigation strategies and proposing these to more senior members of the Office, and other tasks.

2. Independently, and in support of more senior members of the Office, advise on the legal dimensions of establishment, structure and implementation of UNICEF collaborations with external partners including but not limited to other UN organisations (including international financial institutions), civil society, and the private sector (such as, by way of example only, in connection with the design and establishment of UNICEF shared value partnerships) by developing draft agreements and term sheets, identifying risks and possible mitigation strategies and proposing these to more senior members of the Office, and other tasks.

3. Support more senior members of the Office in advising on the resolution of disputes, particularly those disputes involving possible liability for the Organisation (under the general guidance of the General Counsel and the Senior Legal Affairs Specialist).

4. Independently, and in support of more senior members of the Office, advise on the legal interpretation of decisions, regulations, rules, procedures, and pertinent administrative instructions.

5. Other duties in relation to legal support and advice as directed.

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

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent is required). First level university degree in law d in a relevant field of law (e.g. international law, commercial law) with additional two years of experience may be accepted;
• A minimum of two (2) years professional experience practicing in a relevant field. Experience in the UN system or in private practice or as in-house counsel in private industry is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, in particular Spanish or Portuguese, is an asset.
• Thorough knowledge of international legal procedures and instrument
• 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

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

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.