Legal Officer, P-3

Legal Officer, P-3

UNOLA - United Nations Office of Legal Affairs

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is related to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction and to providing secretariat services until the secretariat to be established under the Agreement commences its functions. This position is located in the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs. Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division, the Legal Officer will report directly to a Senior Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence dealing with legal and other aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its implementation and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), including in relation to matters to be considered by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement.
• Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.
• Prepares drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials concerning the BBNJ Agreement.
• Prepares legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law issues, including General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to the BBNJ Agreement, privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of the Preparatory Commission on the BBNJ Agreement and the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement.
• Prepares agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities.
• Supports senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
• Assists in representing the Organization at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc..
• Assists in administering the programme of technical assistance on the BBNJ Agreement.
• Prepares or assists with the preparation of capacity-building seminars and workshops on the BBNJ Agreement, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
• Provides guidance to more junior staff.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of international law, in particular of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, in particular the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law with emphasis on public international law is required. Specialization in the law of the sea is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international law, including legal analysis, research and writing of which a minimum of three years working experience in the law of the sea is required.. Experience servicing intergovernmental meetings is required. Experience dealing with issues relating to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction is required. Experience in teaching or lecturing on subjects of international law, in particular law of the sea, and in organizing courses or seminars is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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