Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs. The Legal Officer reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs through a Senior Legal Officer.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority, the Legal Officer may be responsible for one or more of the following duties:
- Handles a range of issues related to public international law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, in consultation with Senior and Prinicipal Legal Officers;
- 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, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, etc.;
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law issues, including issues arising under the United Nations Charter and General Assembly resolutions and decisions, involving, inter alia, questions relating to privileges and immunities, questions relating to international criminal accountability mechanisms, treaty law and practice, international human rights law, and the constitutional law of the Organization;
- Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law issues, including issues arising under the United Nations Charter and General Assembly resolutions and decisions, involving, inter alia, questions relating to privileges and immunities, questions relating to international criminal accountability mechanisms, treaty law and practice, international human rights law , and the constitutional law of the Organization;
- Prepares or assists in the preparation, and negotiates or assists in the negotiation, of agreements with governments;
- Provides guidance to more junior staff. Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of a range of fields of public international law, including the Charter, the law and practice of the United Nations and the law of privileges and immunities. Familiarity with the institutions, and organization of the United Nations system. 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;
- 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;
- Planning& 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 public international law is required. A first-level university degree in law 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 professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required. At least two years of professional service with the legal office of a Government department or ministry or of the secretariat of an international organization is required. Experience in professional legal work relating to international law governing privileges and immunities is desirable. Experience in professional legal work relating to the preparation and negotiation of international agreements is desirable. Professional legal experience advising on issues relating to international criminal accountability mechanisms is desirable. Professional legal experience advising on questions of international human rights law is desirable. At least two years of professional experience working with the UN or a related intergovernmental organization is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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