Principal Legal Officer (General Law)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members working across five areas of operation, UNRWA is dedicated to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under challenging circumstances. The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. UNRWA aims to create a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, and it is committed to achieving gender parity at all staffing levels. For more details on UNRWA, please visit their official website at https://www.unrwa.org/.

Job Overview:
The Principal Legal Officer (General Law) plays a crucial role in developing strategies to promote and implement legal functions within UNRWA. This position involves providing advice and training on various legal topics, including contractual and procurement matters, resolution of commercial disputes, and the Agency's regulatory framework. The officer will report directly to the Director of Legal Affairs and will be responsible for ensuring that the Agency's legal advice is timely, politically sensitive, and consistent. The role requires a deep understanding of public international law, administrative law, and the management of appeals before the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal. The Principal Legal Officer will also contribute to the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated into all aspects of UNRWA's operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Legal Officer will directly support the Director of Legal Affairs in all aspects of work, including leading the program of work and managing human and financial resources within the Department. Key responsibilities include: developing strategies to promote and implement the Agency's legal function; providing advice and training on the interpretation and application of the Agency's regulatory framework; advising other departments on legal matters; providing technical expertise on amendments to the regulatory framework; reviewing drafts of Agency contracts and providing training; contributing to client-oriented service delivery; advising on resolution of contractual claims; supervising legal advice on administrative and employment law; ensuring consistent interpretation of international law; establishing relations with government representatives and other entities; and serving on various committees as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, with specialization in international law, contract law, commercial law, and/or administrative law. A first-level degree combined with admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction and an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least ten years of progressively responsible experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, or the commercial/private sector, including experience in contract, commercial, administrative, and/or public international law. A minimum of three years of professional work experience at a senior level is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution in law, with a focus on international law, contract law, commercial law, and/or administrative law. Alternatively, a first-level degree along with admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction and two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant experience as a lawyer, which may include work in the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, or the private sector. This experience should encompass contract, commercial, administrative, and/or public international law. Furthermore, candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and their country of citizenship, unless they are already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System. Experience in appeals to international administrative tribunals is desired, as is knowledge of the history and contemporary issues of the Middle East.

Languages:
An excellent command of spoken and written English is required for this position. Knowledge of Arabic and/or another official United Nations language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget post with a contract duration of two years, which may be extended based on operational requirements. The incumbent may be required to travel throughout UNRWA's five fields of operation. Applications must be submitted in English, and only those completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system will be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. The agency disqualifies applicants whose names appear on the UN Sanctions List or who have been separated for misconduct. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.