LEGAL OFFICER (Temporary Job Opening)

The Legal Officer in the General Legal Division of the Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice and support on a wide range of international public and private law issues, including contracts, administrative law, peacekeeping, and dispute resolution. The role involves extensive legal research, drafting legal documents, representing the Organization in tribunals, and providing guidance to junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Handles a range of legal issues by researching and drafting legal advice, memoranda, and other communications in support to the principal and subsidiary organs of the United Nations concerning questions of substantial contracts and procurement, the administrative law of the United Nations including the interpretation and application of staff and financial regulations and rules, the resolution of claims against the Organization, peacekeeping and operational support and accountability of the Organization and of its officials.
• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies and reports.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public or private law issues, including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, peace and security, institutional questions, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Prepares or assists in drafting or analysis of complex contracts or agreements with governments, NGOs, commercial vendors and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation of disputes and settlement of claims against the Organization including its Funds & Programmes, private third-party claims arising from peacekeeping or similar operations, commercial claims arising from United Nation contracts.
• Assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases, in Tribunals.
• Assists with the representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
• Liaises with relevant offices to prepare appeals of UNDT judgments and drafts appeals of UNDT judgments.
• Provides guidance to more junior staff.
• Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Admission to the practice of law, or otherwise qualified to practice law, in a Member State of the United Nations is required.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, obtained in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization, a law firm or a Government, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
• Experience in litigation in administrative law is desirable.
• Experience in the practice of law in an international intergovernmental organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents.
• Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues.
• Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely.
• Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure.
• Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English at UN Level III reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Litigation in Administrative Law
• International Law Practice
• Legal Document Review
• Legal Drafting
• Application of Legal Principles
• Civil Law
• Common Law
• Interpretation of Legislative Instruments
• Legal Judgment
• Contract Law
• Dispute Settlement
• Peacekeeping Law
• Representation in Tribunals

Languages

English