Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations, specifically the Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ), which was established to ensure fair and impartial adjudication of disputes involving UN staff members. The OAJ operates the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), which is the first instance tribunal of the internal justice system. The organization is dedicated to upholding the principles of justice and accountability within the UN system, ensuring that staff members have access to a fair process for resolving disputes. The UNDT is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the UN's internal justice system.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer position is integral to the functioning of the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), where the incumbent will provide substantive, technical, and administrative support for the adjudication of cases. This role involves reviewing submissions, drafting legal documents, and advising on legal matters. The Legal Officer will support judges by preparing background materials and summaries, attending meetings, and providing 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 also assist in maintaining the registers of the UNDT and ensuring the accurate publication and dissemination of decisions and judgments. This role is critical in ensuring that the tribunal operates efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall mission of the UN in promoting justice and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Legal Officer include:

• Providing substantive, technical, and administrative support for the adjudication of cases by UNDT Judges.
• Reviewing submissions to the UNDT and drafting, reviewing, and advising on legal documents and correspondence.
• Preparing background materials and summaries of issues for judges as required.
• Attending meetings and providing advice on emerging issues and questions.
• Identifying legal issues, drafting legal texts, and handling complex legal matters involving administrative and employment law.
• Conducting extensive legal research and providing detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence.
• Offering legal advice on diverse 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 and comprehensive judgments, including reviewing draft judgments for inconsistencies and ensuring editorial uniformity. 1
• Responding to correspondence and queries from parties involved in cases. 1
• Maintaining the registers of the UNDT, both electronic and paper, and overseeing the publication and dissemination of decisions in the required official languages. 1
• Assisting in maintaining the case law digest and jurisprudence databank of OAJ. 1
• Performing other duties as required by the Registrar or Principal Registrar.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Legal Officer position include:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing is required.
• 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.
• Experience in litigation in an international or domestic judicial system is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Legal Officer position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational requirement ensures that the candidate possesses a strong foundation in 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, at least one year of experience working as a lawyer in administrative or employment/labor law is necessary, preferably within an international organization or tribunal. Experience as a judicial/legal clerk or legal officer in a related field is desirable, as is experience in litigation within an international or domestic judicial system. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively handle the complex legal matters that arise in the context of the UNDT.

Languages:
For this position, English is required as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, proficiency in either French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), or Russian is desirable. The UN Language Framework outlines the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, which is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the UN system.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify the contract duration, seniority level, or whether the position is full-time or part-time. However, it is implied that the role is full-time given the responsibilities outlined. The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and may involve working with international staff and stakeholders. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job posting, but candidates can expect competitive remuneration in line with UN standards.