Legal Officer (Temporary Job Opening) at United Nations

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Appeals Section or the Disciplinary Section, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 

• Serve as a lead officer handling appeals and/or disciplinary matter, from field operations, notably from MINUSMA. Independently handle a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international, public, private, and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in that area of concentration. 
• Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacekeeping and other operational matters, separately administered programmes and funds, criminal investigations, and prosecutions, etc. 
• Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, indictments, and correspondence; provide legal advice to the division.   
• Prepare legal submissions/motions as necessary in the course of investigations and prosecutions.
• Service diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups, and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
• Review, advise on and drafts complex legal documents; develop new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
• Advise on and participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, or pleas of guilty, to include establishing strategy and approach, deciding on the legal text for terms and conditions of contracts, on the recommendations on the merit of claims, etc. 
• Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules, including the review of administrative decisions; prepare draft amendments to the staff regulations and rules; prepare draft administrative issuances or amendments thereto and verify their consistency with the existing staff regulation and rules; prepare analyses and evaluations of human resources policies and practices in consultation with the Human Resources Policy Section of OHR
• Represent the organization on more complex cases before arbitral and other tribunal or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases.
• Serve on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promote the work of the United Nations and represent the organization at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
• Coordinate and direct teams of other legal officers dealing with significant problems as required, and/or mentors and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.
• Contribute to review and design of new, or new applications of, legal instruments, policy, guidelines, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments, including criminal law, both substantive and procedural. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in prosecuting complex criminal cases. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, indictments or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Ability to lead and cross-examine witnesses and make substantial legal arguments before Chambers of judges, or if required to take responsibility for the prosecution of criminal trials. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization, and interrelationships. 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 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; 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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
• Of the seven years, two years of experience in litigation at the international level and first-hand experience appearing and leading evidence of witnesses before a court, tribunal, or equivalent administrative boards or bodies is required.
• Experience in handling disciplinary matters in the context of field operations of the United Nations or other similar international; organization is desirable.
• Experience, at the international level, in administrative and/or employment and labour law is desirable.
• Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or other similar 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. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.