Principal Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the General Legal Division (GLD) of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at the United Nations. The GLD is responsible for providing legal services in support of the investments of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The UNJSPF is a significant fund with assets exceeding US$90 billion, which is managed by the Office of Investment Management (OIM). The OIM oversees a diverse portfolio that includes global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure. The mission of the organization is to ensure the effective management of these assets while adhering to the highest legal and ethical standards. The GLD plays a crucial role in ensuring that all legal aspects of the Fund's investments are handled with professionalism and integrity, contributing to the overall mission of the United Nations to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and development globally.

Job Overview:
The Principal Legal Officer will be responsible for overseeing the provision of comprehensive legal services related to the investments of the UNJSPF. This includes managing legal services provided by lawyers and support staff, ensuring timely and effective legal advice on complex international investment transactions, and negotiating various agreements related to the Fund's investments. The incumbent will coordinate with external legal advisors and ensure that all legal services meet the high standards required by the United Nations. The role requires a deep understanding of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, particularly in the areas of commercial law, investment law, and the legal frameworks governing international organizations. The Principal Legal Officer will also be involved in preparing legal opinions on complex legal questions and will represent the organization in negotiations and meetings with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Legal Officer will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing and overseeing the full range of general legal services in support of the UNJSPF investments.
• Managing legal services and activities undertaken by lawyers and support staff, ensuring timely delivery of legal advice.
• Coordinating the preparation of legal advice on investment activities, including negotiations of agreements related to various asset classes.
• Overseeing external legal advisors and reviewing their invoices.
• Preparing legal opinions on complex legal questions involving international commercial law and administrative law.
• Supporting the Fund’s reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget and programmatic issues.
• Ensuring high-quality legal services and advice are produced by the team.
• Assisting in the preparation of the work programme and budget for the Division.
• Recruiting and managing staff, fostering teamwork and communication. 1
• Organizing meetings and seminars on substantive issues. 1
• Representing the organization at various meetings and conferences. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law. A first-level university degree in law combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates must be admitted to the bar or otherwise qualified to practice law in a Member State of the United Nations. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of international law, particularly in relation to international organizations and commercial law.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Candidates must also be admitted to the bar or otherwise qualified to practice law in a Member State of the United Nations, which is a critical requirement for this role.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public and private international law, including international commercial law and the law of international organizations. A minimum of ten years of experience specifically in commercial law, focusing on investment matters, is required. This experience should include legal analysis, research, and writing, preferably acquired at a law firm, legal department of a global investment institution, government, or international organization. Experience in supervising staff and overseeing programmatic and administrative tasks is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position. Knowledge of another United Nations language, such as French, is desirable but not mandatory. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, and proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication within the organization.

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

• If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The classification of the post is currently under review according to the United Nations job classification standards. The position may be limited to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates must provide complete and accurate information in their applications. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities upon request.