Senior Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of the United Nations. The United Nations was established in 1945 with the mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. It operates in over 190 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working on various global issues including human rights, development, and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer is tasked with handling a wide range of complex and sensitive legal matters related to public international law. This includes interpreting and applying the Charter of the United Nations and providing legal advice on diverse and often novel legal questions. The role requires the officer to coordinate and direct teams of legal officers, supervise junior staff, and assist senior officials in managing legal work. The officer will also be responsible for organizing research studies, negotiating major agreements, and representing the United Nations at various meetings and conferences. The position is critical in supporting the UN80 Initiative and addressing ongoing legal challenges faced by the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Legal Officer will serve as an expert in public international law, independently managing complex legal matters. Responsibilities include coordinating legal teams, supervising junior officers, and advising senior officials on legal issues. The officer will make recommendations to senior officials, organize research and reports, and oversee the negotiation and drafting of legal documents. Additionally, the officer will contribute to the design of new legal instruments and policies, serve on various committees, and represent the UN at external events. The role demands strong analytical skills, legal writing proficiency, and the ability to handle multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep knowledge of public international law, particularly regarding the UN Charter. The ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop innovative solutions is essential. Strong legal writing skills and the capacity to advise senior officials independently are required. The candidate should demonstrate discretion, sound judgment, and strong negotiation skills. A commitment to gender equality and the ability to work under pressure are also important qualifications for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in public international law 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 ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing, is required. At least two years of experience working as a lawyer in the legal office of an intergovernmental organization or government department is necessary. Experience in supervising junior legal officers and advising senior officials on short notice is also required. Desirable experience includes advising on procedural and institutional issues within intergovernmental organizations and working with the United Nations or related organizations.

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

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until December 31, 202

• If the selected candidate is a current UN staff member, the selection will be treated as a temporary assignment. The position may be limited to internal candidates and is subject to funding availability. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates must provide accurate information in their applications.