Legal Officer

Job Advertisement

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

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs within the United Nations. The Office of Legal Affairs serves as the central legal service of the Organization, providing legal advice to the Secretary-General, various Secretariat departments, and United Nations organs. It is responsible for representing the Secretary-General in legal conferences and judicial proceedings, performing substantive and secretariat functions for legal organs involved in public law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, the law of the sea, ocean affairs, and international trade law. The Office also handles the functions conferred on the Secretary-General in Article 102 of the UN Charter, which includes the registration of treaties and other legal instruments.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer will be responsible for handling a range of issues related to public international law, particularly concerning the interpretation and application of treaties and other legal instruments. The incumbent will work closely with senior Legal Officers to discharge the Secretary-General's depositary functions under multilateral treaties and ensure compliance with Article 102 of the UN Charter. The role involves conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence, and reviewing legal documents to identify important issues and inconsistencies. The Legal Officer will also prepare legal opinions on various international public law issues, assist in servicing diplomatic conferences, and represent the Organization in treaty-related meetings. This position requires a strong understanding of international law and the ability to draft legal papers and provide sound legal judgment under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer's duties include: handling issues related to public international law; conducting legal research and analysis; preparing studies, briefs, and reports; reviewing legal documents; drafting background papers and legal opinions; servicing diplomatic conferences and committees; advising on and drafting final clauses of multilateral treaties; representing the Organization in treaty-related meetings; administering legal technical assistance programs; preparing seminars and symposia on international law; and performing other duties as assigned. The role requires collaboration with senior colleagues and the ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of legal principles, concepts, and procedures, particularly in international law. They should have the ability to apply legal terminology for the review and processing of legal documents and conduct thorough legal research. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent drafting skills, the ability to work under pressure, and sound legal judgment. Additionally, candidates should show a commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of international law and treaty obligations.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in international law is required, which includes legal analysis, research, and writing. Candidates who have successfully completed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE), or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) may also be considered. Experience in public international law, particularly in the area of treaty law, is desirable, as is experience working within the United Nations or another international organization. Familiarity with electronic document management systems is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in French is desirable, and knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage. Proficiency in multiple languages can enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. Eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.