Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) is an independent entity within the United Nations that oversees the internal justice system. It was established to ensure fair and impartial adjudication of disputes involving UN staff members. The OAJ operates the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), which serves as the first instance tribunal for cases filed by current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions. The OAJ aims to uphold the principles of justice and accountability within the UN system, ensuring that staff members have access to a fair process for resolving disputes. The organization is committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and integrity in its operations, and it employs a diverse workforce across multiple countries, reflecting the global nature of the United Nations.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer position is integral to the functioning of the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) in Geneva. The incumbent will provide substantive, technical, and administrative support for the adjudication of cases by UNDT Judges. This role involves reviewing submissions, drafting legal documents, and advising on legal matters. The Legal Officer will also prepare background materials and summaries for Judges, attend meetings, and provide legal advice on various substantive and procedural questions. The position requires a deep understanding of administrative and employment law, as well as the ability to conduct extensive legal research and analysis. The Legal Officer will assist in maintaining the registers of the UNDT and ensure the accurate publication and dissemination of decisions and judgments. This role is crucial for supporting the UNDT in producing comprehensive judgments and maintaining the integrity of the internal justice system.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: reviewing submissions to the UNDT; drafting, reviewing, and advising on legal documents and correspondence; preparing background materials and summaries for Judges; attending meetings and providing advice on emerging legal issues; identifying complex legal matters and drafting legal texts; conducting extensive legal research and providing detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence; offering legal advice on substantive and procedural questions; assisting in the preparation of referrals to the Mediation Division of the Office of the Ombudsman; supporting Judges in producing accurate judgments, including reviewing draft judgments for inconsistencies; maintaining the registers of the UNDT; and performing other duties as required. The Legal Officer must demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, and client orientation in all interactions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing. At least one year of experience working as a lawyer in administrative or employment/labor law, preferably in an international organization or tribunal, is required. Experience as a judicial/legal clerk, legal officer, or legal professional in a related field is desirable, as is experience in litigation within an international or domestic judicial system.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and practices relevant to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, which includes legal analysis, research, and writing. Additionally, candidates must have at least one year of experience working as a lawyer in administrative or employment/labor law, preferably within an international organization or tribunal. Experience as a judicial/legal clerk, legal officer, or legal professional in a related field is considered desirable, as well as experience in litigation in either an international or domestic judicial system.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Additionally, proficiency in either French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), or Russian is desirable, with a minimum UN Level II proficiency in these languages. This multilingual requirement reflects the diverse nature of the UN and the need for effective communication across different languages and cultures.

Additional Notes:
The position is temporarily available as soon as possible until 31 December 2026, without a possibility of extension. Recruitment for this post is subject to classification approval, and if the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates" who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization places a high value on the principles of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs.