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 across five areas of operation, aiming to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

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. 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 necessary. The officer will also interpret and apply the Agency’s regulatory framework, particularly concerning human resources issues and the internal justice system for UNRWA staff members. Additionally, the role includes drafting or reviewing various Agency contractual modalities, such as contracts for procurement, memoranda of understanding, and funding agreements. The Senior Legal Officer is expected to contribute legal input into the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy, particularly in relation to human resources and administrative matters.

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 required.
• Advise on the interpretation and application of UNRWA’s Area and International Staff Regulations and associated administrative issuances.
• Provide legal input into the development and implementation of Agency policies and strategies.
• Draft or review contracts for procurement of goods and services, memoranda of understanding, and funding agreements.
• Advise on the status, mandate, privileges, and immunities of the Agency and its personnel.
• Ensure compliance with UNRWA’s regulatory framework and standards of conduct.
• Engage in outreach and training activities to enhance understanding of administrative law among staff. 1
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure legal considerations are integrated into Agency operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, with a specialization in administrative law, employment law, or public international law. Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is required. 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, as is experience in appeals to international administrative tribunals.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law is required, preferably with specialization in administrative law, employment law, or public international law. Candidates may also qualify with a first-level university degree and two additional years of relevant experience. Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is essential.

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 should include a focus on administrative or employment law or work related to courts or tribunals. Candidates must 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 at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is desirable at UN Level I for all skills. Familiarity with French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of one year, with the possibility of extension. The incumbent may be required to travel throughout UNRWA’s five fields of operation based on operational needs. Applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and only fully completed applications will be considered. UNRWA is committed to gender parity and encourages applications from under-represented groups. The agency does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and maintains a non-smoking work environment.