Legal Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This Legal Officer position located in the Arbitration and Claims Cluster of the General Legal Division of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The Legal Officer reports to a Senior Legal Officer, a Principal Legal Officer, and the Director of the General Legal Division.

Responsibilities

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

• Handles a range of issues related to international commercial law, international, public, private, and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative, and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations. Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares briefs, memoranda, 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 legal opinions/advice on a wide range of substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacekeeping and other operational matters, separately administered programmes and funds, arbitrations, administrative appeals, etc.
• Prepares and assists in providing analysis, advice, and support in resolving (i) disputes arising out of contracts with commercial vendors, consultants, individual contractors, and other personnel, and (ii) third-party claims of a private law character involving the operations and activities of the Organizations, its organs or its separately administered funds and programmes.
• Assists in advising on and participates in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, to include establishing strategy and approach, terms and conditions of settlement, and recommendations on the merit of claims, etc.
• Prepares or assists in the review, advice on, drafting and negotiating of complex contracts with commercial vendors and agreements with NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the development of institutional and operational modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
• Prepares, and provides substantive input into, motions/submissions in the course of arbitral proceedings or administrative proceedings.
• Prepares briefs on the assessment of evidence for relevance and admissibility.
• Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing committees, ad hoc working groups, task forces, expert groups, and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of members, meeting reports, etc.
• Assists in representing the Organization before arbitral tribunals or in administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases, before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
• Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of financial and staff regulations and rules, including the review of administrative decisions and administrative issuances; prepares analyses and evaluations of human resources policies and other administrative policies and practices. Provides guidance to more junior staff.
• 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. 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. Proficiency in legal drafting skills and ability and 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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admission to the practice of law in the Member State of the candidate’s nationality or in another Member State of the United Nations is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including international commercial law, international commercial arbitration, legal analysis, research and drafting to be obtained either in a law firm, in a legal office of an international intergovernmental organization, in a legal office of a government, or in a legal office of a court is required. Substantial experience in claims analysis and in the practice of international commercial arbitration is required. Experience in law with an international intergovernmental organisation is desirable. Experience in handling allegations of fraud or corruption in international commercial transactions is desirable. Experience in publishing articles on topics of international arbitration is desirable. Experience in advising on the status and the privileges and immunities of international intergovernmental organizations is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Fluency in another official United Nations language is desirable.

Application instructions

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