Senior Legal Officer (Administrative Law)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates in five areas of operation, focusing on delivering education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. UNRWA's mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit their official website.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer (Administrative Law) plays a crucial role in providing legal advice, training, outreach, and assistance on matters related to administrative and employment law within UNRWA. This position involves advising on investigations and disciplinary matters, drafting or reviewing submissions to the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN’s Appeals Tribunal, and representing the Agency before these tribunals as required. The officer will also interpret and apply the Agency’s regulatory framework, particularly concerning UNRWA’s Area and International Staff Regulations, and associated administrative issuances. Additionally, the role includes providing legal input into the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy, especially regarding human resources issues and the internal justice system for UNRWA staff members. The Senior Legal Officer will draft or review various Agency contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement, memoranda of understanding, and funding agreements, while advising on the status, mandate, privileges, and immunities of the Agency and its personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on administrative and employment law matters, including investigations and disciplinary actions.
• Draft and review submissions to the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN’s Appeals Tribunal.
• Represent UNRWA before the Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal as necessary.
• Advise on the interpretation and application of UNRWA’s regulatory framework, including staff regulations and organizational directives.
• Contribute legal input to the development and implementation of Agency strategies and policies, particularly in human resources and internal justice systems.
• Draft or review all types of Agency contracts, including procurement contracts, memoranda of understanding, and funding agreements.
• Advise on the status, mandate, privileges, and immunities of UNRWA and its personnel.
• Ensure compliance with UNRWA’s standards of conduct and legal obligations.
• Engage in outreach and training activities to enhance understanding of administrative law among UNRWA staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, with specialization in administrative law, employment law, or public international law.
• Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Familiarity with the UN Common System and practices is desirable.
• Experience in appeals to the UN Dispute Tribunal, UN Appeals Tribunal, or other international administrative tribunals is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, preferably with specialization in administrative law, employment law, or public international law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is also required.

Experience:
At least seven years of experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, the commercial/private sector, or NGOs is required. This experience must include a focus on administrative or employment law or court/tribunal-related work. Candidates must also have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside their country of nationality, unless they are already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in all skills. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, but English is the primary requirement for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of one year, which may be extended based on operational requirements. The incumbent may be required to travel throughout UNRWA’s five fields of operation. Applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and only fully completed applications will be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from this selection exercise, and successful candidates may be eligible for future appointments to similar posts. UNRWA does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.