Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Focal Point for Delisting, which is part of a Special Political Mission administered by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the United Nations. This office is responsible for overseeing the delisting process as mandated by security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Council resolution 2744 (2024). The organization aims to ensure that the delisting process is fair and transparent, adhering to the principles of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and human rights. The United Nations, established in 1945, operates globally with a mission to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. It employs thousands of staff across various countries, working in diverse fields to address global challenges.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Office of the Focal Point for Delisting by providing legal expertise and assistance in the delisting process. The incumbent will work closely with the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division and will be responsible for drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and providing legal advice on various substantive and procedural questions. The position requires a strong understanding of the policies and procedures of the Security Council, particularly those related to sanctions and delisting. The Legal Officer will also be involved in preparing interviews with petitioners and character witnesses, ensuring effective communication throughout the delisting review process, and analyzing evidence for relevance and admissibility. This role demands a high level of professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive legal issues while maintaining confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer's duties and responsibilities include: assisting with the drafting of factual and legal portions of Comprehensive Reports to the Security Council’s Sanctions Committees; reviewing legal documents and identifying key issues; preparing for interviews with petitioners and witnesses; ensuring effective communication between the Focal Point for Delisting and relevant parties; assessing evidence and preparing briefs; providing legal advice on substantive and procedural questions; conducting legal and open-source research; preparing background papers, studies, reports, and correspondence; drafting legal opinions on international public law issues; collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; and performing other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in law, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in legal analysis, research, and writing. Experience in drafting legal opinions, decisions, or judgments is essential. Familiarity with United Nations sanctions and the ability to interact with high-level officials and stakeholders is desirable. The role requires strong analytical skills, the ability to conduct comprehensive legal research, and the capacity to handle confidential information with discretion. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required for this position. 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 ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in legal principles and practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, which includes legal analysis, research, and writing. Candidates should have experience in drafting legal opinions and decisions, as well as familiarity with the workings of the United Nations and its sanctions processes. Experience in engaging with high-level officials and stakeholders is also advantageous, as the role involves significant interaction with various parties during the delisting process.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of French is also necessary, and familiarity with another official United Nations language is considered desirable. This multilingual capability is essential for effective communication within the diverse environment of the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, and staff members may be assigned to various functions throughout their careers. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are expected to provide accurate information in their applications. The deadline for applications is not specified, and candidates should ensure they follow all instructions provided in the online recruitment platform.