Legal Affairs Specialist (Temporary Appointment)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Legal Affairs Specialist (TA) will join UNICEF's Legal Team for a temporary appointment of six months, providing guidance and advice on institutional and commercial procurement, donor agreements, and contracts related to program support and project implementation. The role involves ensuring adherence to organizational policies and protecting the organization from legal exposure. The Legal Affairs Specialist will work under the guidance of the Senior Legal Affairs Specialist in Geneva and the direct supervision of the Legal Affairs Specialist in Copenhagen, contributing to a wide range of legal matters related to UNICEF's supply function and other business units globally. The position requires a proactive approach to legal challenges, with an emphasis on collaboration and capacity building within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Affairs Specialist (TA) will be responsible for advising on the development and negotiation of long-term arrangements and contracts, identifying risks and mitigation strategies, and assisting in the legal dimensions of collaborations with external partners. The role includes advising on dispute resolution, legal interpretation of regulations and procedures, and supporting knowledge management and professional development initiatives within the Legal Team. The Specialist will take ownership of legal matters, proactively highlight potential issues, and communicate effectively with clients while managing expectations and escalating matters when necessary. The position requires exercising good judgment on emerging challenges and maintaining high levels of responsiveness to clients.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a post-graduate university law degree (e.g., LL.B, LL.M, J.D.) in a relevant field of law or a first-level university degree with additional qualifying work experience. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law in relevant fields such as international law or commercial law is required. Experience in a law firm, private practice, or as in-house counsel, particularly within international organizations, is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a constructive, client-oriented approach to problem resolution, along with excellent research, legal writing, drafting, verbal communication, and negotiation skills.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a post-graduate university law degree in a relevant field of law is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, at the discretion of the Chief Legal Counsel.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in legal practice, particularly in international law or commercial law. Relevant experience in a law firm, private practice, or as in-house counsel, especially within international organizations, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in another UN official language (Chinese, Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish) is highly desirable. This multilingual capability is beneficial for effective communication and collaboration in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is a temporary appointment for six months, and UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce. The organization offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. The organization does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.