Legal Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. Since its establishment, UN Women has been actively working in various countries, including Lebanon since 2015, focusing on advancing women's leadership, political participation, and economic empowerment, while addressing discriminatory gender norms.

Job Overview:
The Legal Advisor position at UN Women is a consultancy role aimed at providing technical capacity building to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) regarding the recently developed internal policy on Anti-Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence (ASH/DV). The advisor will work under the supervision of the UN Women Representative and in close coordination with the Head of the LAF Gender Department and the UN Women Programme Management Specialist. The primary responsibilities include designing and delivering tailored training sessions to enhance institutional understanding and implementation of the ASH/DV policy across relevant units of the LAF and with external partners. The role requires a deep understanding of both national and international legal frameworks, ensuring that all activities align with the Lebanese Constitution, relevant laws, and international commitments such as CEDAW and UNSCR 132

• The Legal Advisor will also be responsible for fostering a culture of accountability and zero tolerance for sexual harassment and domestic violence within the LAF.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Advisor will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical guidance to the LAF Technical Committee to support the integration of ASH/DV policy considerations into the LAF Code of Conduct.
• Delivering capacity-building sessions for senior leaders and members of the Technical Committee on the content, scope, and operationalization of the ASH/DV policy.
• Conducting workshops targeting security sector Gender Focal Points and representatives of civil society organizations to focus on the implementation of the LAF’s ASH/DV policy and its coordination mechanisms.
• Ensuring that all training sessions are participatory, gender-responsive, and tailored to the institutional context of the LAF.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders to promote the ASH/DV policy and its objectives, contributing to the overall mission of UN Women in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in legal studies, political studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a certification in gender studies or related issues would be considered an advantage. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of international and Lebanese legal frameworks, particularly concerning gender-based violence (GBV), and have experience in developing sexual harassment policies. The role demands excellent analytical skills, strong communication abilities, and a proven track record of working with state institutions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in legal studies, political studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A certification in gender studies or related fields is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in legal consultancies is required. Candidates should have experience in drafting laws or policies and developing related workshop materials. Experience in creating human rights or women's rights policies and procedures for government institutions is desirable. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical skills, a strong drive for results, and the ability to work independently while demonstrating effective communication and writing skills.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position, ensuring effective communication with diverse stakeholders and the ability to deliver training sessions in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with frequent visits to the UN Women office and the LAF Gender Unit office. The position is designed to be flexible, accommodating the needs of the consultant while ensuring effective collaboration with UN Women and the LAF. The role is part-time and may involve travel as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities outlined. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, ensuring that all selected candidates adhere to the organization's standards of conduct.