Job Openings at United Nations

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; Enhancing equality and countering discrimination;
• Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; Integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; Widening the democratic space; and Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity. This announcement broadcasts international internships with the OHCHR East Africa Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Nairobi, Kenya.
• The Intern reports to the Head of the MCO and relevant Country and Thematic Support Units focal points under the overall coordination of the Head of the MCO. Daily responsibilities of the Human Rights intern may include but are not limited to- Monitor and analyze human rights developments and trends, including of economic, social and cultural rights, in the countries covered by the MCO, research and draft internal and external notes and reports within the assigned area and; prepare daily news updates with information on the human rights situation in those countries under the MCO;
• Support the engagement of stakeholders with the UN human rights mechanisms, including Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies; Assist efforts to integrate human rights perspectives in national and regional development policies, plans and strategies; Assist with the organization of workshops and seminars;
• Participate and take notes in meetings/conferences, as requested; support the organization of meetings and events and perform other duties as requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

• To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme applicants must, at the time of their submission, be enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree); be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or have completed an aforementioned academic degree, preferably in the area of law, human rights, international relations, public administration, political science, social sciences or a related field, AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date indicated on the acceptance letter.
• No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

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Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide legal assistance to the persons included in the scope of the administration of justice as defined by General Assembly resolution 63/253 on 'Administration of Justice in the United Nations;
• Advise clients on issues relating to appeals against administrative decisions and the imposition of disciplinary matters;
• Represent and litigate on behalf of clients before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal;
• Prepare written and oral submissions to these bodies and ensure that they meet procedural requirements;
• Identify, where applicable, cases that are amenable to informal resolution, such as settlement or mediation and assist clients in the process;
• Assist in responding to complex inquiries and correspondence; Identify legal issues, drafts review and advise on legal documents and correspondence; Conduct extensive legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence;
• Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions;
• Assist the Office in producing accurate, comprehensive submissions, including by reviewing draft submissions for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies;
• Assist in maintaining the Office's registers (electronic and online) and a legal precedent reporting database;
• Assist in the preparation of reports on the work of the Office to the General Assembly and other bodies, as may be mandated;
• Assist in ensuring administrative and budgetary requirements of the Nairobi Office or at the relevant OSLA duty station;
• Perform other duties as required.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in international law.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
• Two years of experience at the national or international level including first-hand experience in appearing and leading the evidence of witnesses before a court or tribunal is required.
• Experience within the UN common system or other similar international organizations is desirable.

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Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of office support and administrative functions.
• Responds or drafts responses to routine correspondence and other communications. Uses standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports.
• Monitors processes and schedules related the unit’s outputs, products, tasks, etc. Where applicable, assists in the verification of receipt and accuracy of requisite documents, approvals, signatures, etc, to ensure compliance with relevant legal, financial and other requirements.
• Generates a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases.
• Proofreads documents and edits texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and for adherence to established standards for format.
• Screens phone calls and visitors; responds to moderately complex information requests and inquiries (e.g. answers requests requiring file search, etc.), and as necessary, refers inquiries to appropriate personnel for handling.
• Provides secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences.
• Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software.
• Maintains calendar/schedules; monitors change and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit.
• Reviews, records, distributes and/or processes mail and other documents; follows-up on impending actions.
• Performs general administrative tasks arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, etc.), to include preparing and/or processing administrative requests/documents visa applications, etc.).
• Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for work unit.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Completion of high school diploma or secondary school is required.
• Supplemental training in finance, administration or project management is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience in the field of office management and administration is required.
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two (2) years for candidates who possess a first-level University degree.
• Experience in an international organization is desirable. Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools e.g. Umoja is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.