Senior Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), which is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the United Nations and its various entities. The OLA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the UN operates within the framework of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and adheres to its legal obligations. The organization is committed to promoting justice, peace, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security globally, and it works to uphold the principles of the UN Charter. The OLA is composed of various divisions, including the General Legal Division (GLD), which focuses on legal matters related to the UN's operations and investments. The United Nations was established in 1945 and has grown to include 193 member states, employing thousands of staff across the globe. Its mission is to maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, and protect human rights.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer position is situated within the General Legal Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs. The incumbent will report directly to the Principal Legal Officer and the Director of the GLD. This role involves handling a wide range of complex and sensitive legal matters related to international commercial law, particularly in the context of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Senior Legal Officer will provide legal advice on various aspects of the Fund's investments, including the negotiation of agreements and documents pertaining to multiple asset classes in global markets. The position requires a deep understanding of international investment transactions, including private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. The incumbent will also coordinate with external legal advisors and supervise other legal officers, ensuring that the legal aspects of the Fund's investment activities are managed effectively. Additionally, the Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting extensive legal research, drafting legal opinions, and preparing legal documents, all while ensuring compliance with UN regulations and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to:

• Handling complex legal matters involving international, public, private commercial, and administrative law.
• Providing legal advice on the Fund's investments and related activities, including negotiating agreements and documents.
• Advising on international investment transactions in sectors such as private equity, real estate, and infrastructure.
• Interpreting legal instruments and frameworks, as well as UN and UNJSPF regulations.
• Coordinating with external legal advisors and supervising the work of other legal officers.
• Conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions, studies, briefs, and reports.
• Drafting and reviewing contracts, agreements, and legal documents.
• Supervising the defense and pursuit of claims and negotiating settlements.
• Providing legal advice to senior officials on legal instrument interpretation. 1
• Participating in various boards, committees, and working groups related to the UNJSPF and UN Secretariat. 1
• Contributing to the design and review of legal instruments and policies. 1
• Preparing legal publications and performing other assigned duties.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. A first-level university degree in law combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Admission to the practice of law in a Member State of the United Nations is also required. Candidates should have in-depth theoretical knowledge and extensive experience in international law, global investment procedures, and commercial law, particularly in relation to institutional investments. Strong analytical skills and the ability to conduct comprehensive legal research are essential, along with proficiency in legal writing and expression.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in law (Master's degree or equivalent). Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law, combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted. Candidates must also be admitted to practice law in a Member State of the United Nations, which underscores the importance of having a solid legal foundation and understanding of international legal frameworks.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in commercial law, including international commercial law, is required. This experience should encompass legal analysis, research, and writing, ideally acquired at a law firm, legal department of a global investment institution, government, multilateral development bank, or in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization. Experience providing legal advice on investment matters and representing institutional investors is desirable, as is experience in providing comprehensive legal services on commercial matters to international organizations. Familiarity with derivatives transactions and the status and privileges of international organizations is also beneficial.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, while knowledge of French is considered desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English, as per the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, and while the specific contract duration is not mentioned, it is important to note that staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including women and underrepresented groups. The organization emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff on a wide geographical basis and adheres to strict standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its hiring processes. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.