Legal Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), specifically in the Office of Rule and Law and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Institutions (OROLSI) under the Justice and Corrections Service (JCS). The DPO is responsible for providing political and executive direction to United Nations peacekeeping operations, maintaining contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties involved in conflicts. The organization integrates efforts from various United Nations, governmental, and non-governmental entities to support peace operations. JCS serves as an expert center on justice, corrections, and related rule of law areas, assisting host countries in delivering essential justice and prison services, strengthening criminal justice systems, and facilitating rule of law reforms. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Service or their delegate.

Job Overview:
The Legal Advisor position entails a comprehensive role within the Department of Peace Operations, focusing on monitoring, reviewing, and analyzing justice and corrections issues in various contexts, particularly in peace operations and post-conflict settings. The incumbent will maintain regular communication with missions and other United Nations field presences, providing written guidance and feedback on periodic reports. The role involves contributing to the development and implementation of policies and guidance in the rule of law area, offering strategic information and advice to the DPO, other United Nations entities, and Member States regarding justice and corrections matters. The advisor will also review draft Secretary-General's reports, ensuring that mission challenges and priorities are adequately reflected, and will advise on budgetary submissions related to justice and corrections. The position requires planning justice and corrections aspects of peace operations and providing technical guidance to field personnel, as well as leading field assessments and drafting mission review reports. The incumbent will also conduct training workshops and seminars, making presentations on assigned topics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of duties, including: monitoring and analyzing justice and corrections issues in peace operations; maintaining contact with missions and United Nations field presences; providing written guidance and feedback; contributing to policy development in the rule of law area; offering strategic advice to the DPO and Member States; reviewing Secretary-General's reports; advising on budgetary submissions; planning justice and corrections aspects of peace operations; leading field assessments; preparing and reviewing documents; conducting training workshops; and performing other duties as requested by the Chief of Service or their delegate.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate professionalism, including knowledge of judicial and correctional systems, criminal law, and international human rights standards. They should possess the ability to recommend sound policy initiatives and have strong analytical skills to identify issues requiring coordinated responses. The role requires good judgment in providing strategic advice and applying technical expertise to complex problems. Candidates should also be conscientious, efficient, and responsible for incorporating gender perspectives in their work. Communication skills are essential, including the ability to speak and write clearly, listen effectively, and tailor communication to different audiences. Planning and organizing skills are also necessary, including the ability to set clear goals, prioritize tasks, allocate resources, foresee risks, and monitor progress.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, criminologist, or international legal advisor is required. This experience must include at least one year in a regional or international organization supporting the development or reform of legal, judicial, or correctional institutions in transitional or post-conflict settings. Experience working on justice, rule of law, and corrections issues in international peace operations is also required, along with familiarity with United Nations budget processes and strategic planning. Desirable experience includes planning and facilitating rule of law coordination between United Nations entities and national counterparts, engaging Member States for support, and working on justice initiatives in Africa.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in all skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for an initial period of up to 364 days. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This temporary assignment does not guarantee future employment in the position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.