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 within the Disciplinary Section of the Disciplinary Accountability Service (DS-DAS), which is part of the Administrative Law Division (ALD) under the Office of Human Resources (OHR) in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) of the United Nations. The organization is dedicated to upholding the UN standards of conduct for personnel across the UN Secretariat, providing strategic and legal advice on internal justice matters, and representing the Secretary-General in disciplinary matters. The ALD plays a crucial role in overseeing and coordinating efforts to prevent and respond to unsatisfactory conduct within the UN, thereby empowering managers to address conduct and discipline issues effectively.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer will be responsible for handling disciplinary matters within the UN framework. This includes providing legal advice on the handling of such matters, preparing necessary documentation, and conducting thorough research and analysis of various legal documents, including the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions, and judgments from various UN tribunals. The incumbent will represent the Secretary-General in proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, ensuring that all submissions meet procedural requirements and adhere to principles of administrative law. The role also involves providing legal advice on human resources and administrative matters to facilitate early dispute resolution, as well as maintaining the Section's registers and databases. The position requires a strong understanding of legal frameworks and the ability to navigate complex legal issues effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer's duties include: handling disciplinary matters, providing legal advice and preparing documentation related to these matters, conducting research and analysis of relevant legal texts, representing the Secretary-General in proceedings before the UN Dispute Tribunal, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements, providing legal advice on human resources and administrative issues, assisting in maintaining the Section's electronic and online databases, and performing other duties as required. The role demands a high level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive legal and administrative issues, as well as the ability to influence and establish productive partnerships with clients.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of relevant United Nations Regulations and Rules, as well as applicable jurisprudence. They should demonstrate the ability to apply legal expertise to analyze a diverse range of issues and develop innovative solutions. Strong analytical skills, discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to influence others are essential. Candidates should also show pride in their work, demonstrate professional competence, and be motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. The ability to incorporate gender perspectives and ensure equal participation of women and men in all areas of work is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required, including at least two years of experience in litigation at the national or international level. Candidates should have first-hand experience in appearing and leading evidence of witnesses before courts, tribunals, or equivalent administrative bodies. Experience in handling disciplinary matters within national or international entities is desirable, as is familiarity with the staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures, and operations of the United Nations or similar international organizations.

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 official United Nations language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2025, with the possibility of extension subject to budgetary approval and availability of the position. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position may be limited to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.