Legal Officer

The Legal Officer provides legal research, advisory and drafting support on a broad range of institutional, administrative, operational and corporate legal matters within UNEP. The role involves providing legal advice on UNEP corporate matters, administrative and internal justice issues, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and oversight investigative matters.

Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice on UNEP corporate and institutional matters including interpretation and application of the legal and regulatory framework of the United Nations.
• Conducting legal research and analysis and preparing legal opinions, briefs, reports, studies, correspondence and other legal documents.
• Drafting, reviewing and assisting in the negotiation of legal instruments such as Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements, contribution agreements, hosting agreements, procurement contracts and other legal arrangements.
• Reviewing partnership proposals and assisting in providing legal advice concerning UNEP partnerships and related due diligence requirements.
• Providing legal advice on procurement-related matters and reviewing procurement contracts and related documentation.
• Providing legal advice on intellectual property matters including copyright issues and use of the United Nations name and emblem.
• Providing legal advice on administrative law, human resources and staff management matters.
• Assisting in handling personnel-related disputes and administrative review processes.
• Assisting in representing the Organization in personnel matters before the Management Evaluation process and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.
• Assisting in settlement discussions and preparation of settlement agreements relating to personnel matters.
• Providing legal research, analysis and advice on matters arising from OIOS investigations, audits, inspections, evaluations and other oversight activities affecting UNEP.
• Assisting in the review of matters referred by oversight bodies and preparing legal analyses, briefing notes and draft advice.
• Providing legal support in relation to fraud, corruption, accountability, misconduct and compliance matters affecting UNEP operations.
• Assisting in the preparation of responses to reports issued by oversight bodies and supporting follow-up on implementation of recommendations.
• Providing legal advice and support on matters relating to Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Sexual Harassment and other misconduct-related issues within UNEP.
• Supporting the Legal Section's engagement with relevant United Nations entities dealing with PSEA, misconduct and victims' rights matters.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of awareness-raising activities, training initiatives and communications relating to PSEA and organizational accountability matters.
• Assisting in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of UNEP's PSEA-related initiatives, action plans and other accountability measures.
• Conducting legal research and preparing advice concerning disciplinary, misconduct and investigative matters.
• Providing guidance and support to more junior personnel and interns.
• Collecting and analysing data to identify trends or patterns and prepare reports, presentations and other analytical products.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required.
• Experience in providing legal advice on administrative law, human resources and staff management matters, is required.
• Experience in assisting with the representation of the Organization in personnel matters before the Management Evaluation process and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, including conducting legal research, reviewing evidence and preparing draft submissions, motions and responses, is required.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing and assisting in the negotiation of legal instruments, including Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements, contribution agreements, hosting agreements, procurement contracts and other legal arrangements with Member States, United Nations entities, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and private sector entities, is required.
• Experience in providing legal advice and support on matters relating to investigations conducted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), or a similar entity in an international organization is desirable.
• Experience in advising on legal issues arising from Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at the UN or a similar international organization, including matters involving OIOS, or a similar entity, is desirable.
• Experience in providing legal support in relation to fraud, corruption, accountability, misconduct and compliance matters affecting UN operations or similar international organizations, is desirable.
• Experience in providing legal advice on matters relating to partnerships by the United Nations or similar international organizations with the private sector, is desirable.
• Experience in assisting in the provision of legal advice on intellectual property matters, including copyright issues and use of the United Nations, and on legal issues arising from the handling and management of third-party data in partnerships, is desirable.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area, is desirable.

Skills

• International Law
• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Administrative Law
• Human Resources Law
• Staff Management Law
• Legal Advice
• Legal Representation
• Management Evaluation Process
• United Nations Dispute Tribunal
• Drafting Legal Instruments
• Negotiation of Legal Instruments
• Memoranda of Understanding
• Cooperation Agreements
• Contribution Agreement Management
• Hosting Agreements
• Procurement Transactions
• Legal Support on Investigations
• Legal Advice on Sexual Harassment
• Legal Advice on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• Fraud and Corruption Legal Support
• Accountability and Compliance Legal Support
• Legal Advice on Partnerships
• Intellectual Property Law
• Copyright Issues
• Data Analytics

Languages

English