Legal Assistant

Job Advertisement

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

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Management Advice and Evaluation Section (MAES) of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (OUSG/DMSPC) within the United Nations. The UN is an international organization founded in 1945, with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. It operates in multiple countries around the world, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various global issues.

Job Overview:
The Legal Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the legal functions of the United Nations by conducting research on human resources policies and processes, maintaining legal reference files, and assisting in the preparation and processing of legal documents. The position requires a proactive approach to managing case files and responding to inquiries from both internal and external parties. The Legal Assistant will also be responsible for maintaining databases, generating reports, and providing administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of the legal office. This role is essential for ensuring compliance with legal standards and facilitating effective communication within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Assistant will be responsible for conducting basic research on assigned legal issues, verifying facts, and drafting summaries for review by Legal Officers. They will maintain a body of legal reference files for rapid information retrieval and coordinate with Archives for file management. The role includes reviewing and processing legal drafts, managing individual case files, and handling inquiries from various parties. The Legal Assistant will also maintain internal databases for tracking cases, generate reports, and provide general office support services. Additionally, they will guide and train less experienced staff and perform other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of seven years of experience in paralegal work or general office support is required, with a reduction to five years for those holding a first-level university degree or higher. Experience with UN human resources policies and processes, as well as familiarity with an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system like Umoja, is desirable. Candidates should also have experience in data analytics or related fields.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. While no specific job-related qualifications are mentioned, a first-level university degree or higher can reduce the required years of experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in paralegal work and general office support. This requirement is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. Experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations is highly desirable, particularly in relation to human resources policies and processes.

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 proficiency in another official UN language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in New York City. Selected candidates from outside the duty station will be responsible for their relocation expenses. Local recruits are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The UN emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and is committed to creating a respectful work environment. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates must provide accurate information in their applications.