Application Deadline: 27th January, 2021
Posting Title: ASSOCIATE LEGAL OFFICER, P2
Job Code Title: ASSOCIATE LEGAL OFFICER
Department/Office: Office of Legal Affairs
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Job Opening Number: 20-Legal Affairs-OLA-145301-R-New York (X)
Staffing Exercise N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
This position is located in the General Legal Division (GLD) of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The Associate Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Officer, a Principal Legal Officer and the Director, as appropriate.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Associate Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
• Conducts legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in international law and other area(s) of specialization using multiple research sources; selects relevant material, analyzes information and presents findings for internal review.
• Assists Legal Officers in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.
• Assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, etc.
• Assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public and 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, the United Nations Development System, procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as claims and disputes.
• Assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases.
• Assists in providing legal advice on human resources matters and assists in reviewing administrative decisions.
• Assists Legal Officers in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, etc.,
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: 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. 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. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education
Advance university degree in International Law is required. A first-level university degree in Law with two additional years of relevant work experience in Law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in International Law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young
Professionals Programme Examination, United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
For application details, visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=145301&Lang=en-US
