Principal Legal Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Principal Legal Officer
Location: New York
Country: United States of America
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs within the United Nations. The United Nations was established in 1945 and has a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. It operates in multiple countries worldwide and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various functions, including legal affairs, humanitarian aid, and development.

Job Overview:
The Principal Legal Officer will be responsible for formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of the Codification Division, focusing on the progressive development of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and its codification. This role involves overseeing legal activities within the framework of the International Law Commission and the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly. The officer will coordinate research activities on complex international law subjects, provide substantive servicing to intergovernmental bodies, and manage the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination, and Wider Appreciation of International Law. The position requires strong leadership skills to guide and develop staff, ensure high-quality outputs, and represent the Division at various meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Legal Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Formulating and implementing the work programme of the Division related to international law.
• Overseeing the management of activities and ensuring timely execution of programmed activities.
• Preparing and supervising research on complex international law issues.
• Providing substantive support to the International Law Commission and other committees.
• Coordinating the implementation of training courses and fellowship programmes.
• Leading and supervising the work programme of the Division, including reviewing drafts and participating in inter-departmental committees.
• Reporting on budget and programme performance to intergovernmental bodies.
• Ensuring high-quality standards for outputs produced by the Division.
• Assisting in preparing the work programme and allocating resources. 1
• Managing administrative tasks, including budget preparation and staff evaluations. 1
• Recruiting staff while considering geographical balance. 1
• Fostering teamwork and communication among staff. 1
• Organizing meetings and seminars on substantive issues. 1
• Representing the Division at various international, regional, or national meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess comprehensive theoretical knowledge of international law and practical application skills. They should have outstanding analytical and drafting skills, proven ability to design and supervise research projects, and experience in preparing legal briefs on complex issues. Familiarity with UN rules and regulations is essential. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and strong planning and organizational abilities. Leadership qualities and the ability to manage performance and foster teamwork are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, with a focus on public 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 doctorate with a published thesis in public international law is highly desirable.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible work experience in public international law, with an emphasis on its progressive development and codification. Experience at the international level is required, along with experience providing substantive support to governmental or intergovernmental bodies. Supervisory experience in a leadership position is desirable, as is familiarity with UN policies and operations. Publication on topics related to public international law and experience in organizing training courses or seminars is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of French is desirable, and knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, and staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers. Staff appointed to this position must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented Member States. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.