UN Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. The UN operates in various fields including human rights, humanitarian assistance, and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to achieving gender equality and diversity within its staff, and it actively encourages applications from underrepresented member states.

Job Overview:
The UN Legal Officer position is crucial for processing delisting requests from individuals or entities designated by the Security Council's Sanctions Committees. This role is situated within the Office of the Focal Point for Delisting, which is part of a Special Political Mission supported by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The Legal Officer will work closely with the Focal Point for Delisting and report to the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division. The incumbent will be responsible for legal research, drafting reports, and providing legal advice on various matters related to international law and UN operations. This position requires a strong understanding of constitutional and administrative law, as well as the ability to handle sensitive legal issues with discretion and sound judgment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer will handle a variety of legal issues, including constitutional, international, public, private, and administrative law. Key responsibilities include conducting legal research and analysis, preparing studies and reports, drafting legal documents, and assisting in interviews with petitioners for delisting. The incumbent will ensure effective communication between the Focal Point for Delisting and petitioners, assess evidence for relevance, and provide legal advice on human resources matters. Additionally, the Legal Officer will support senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences and prepare legal opinions on international public law. The role also involves collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and providing insights for decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Security Council, particularly those related to the Focal Point for Delisting. They should demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to conduct comprehensive legal research, and the capacity to draft complex legal documents. Discretion in handling confidential information and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are essential. The ideal candidate should also be motivated by professional integrity and demonstrate a commitment to gender equality in their work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required for this position. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary legal knowledge and analytical skills required for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing, is required. Candidates should have experience in drafting legal opinions and decisions, as well as familiarity with UN sanctions issues. Experience in supporting intergovernmental bodies or Executive Boards is desirable, along with the ability to interact with high-level officials and stakeholders.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of additional languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, or Spanish is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in these languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available effective immediately through 31 December 2026, with the possibility of extension. The role is classified as a temporary assignment, and if the selected candidate is a current UN staff member, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.