Legal Officer, P3

Legal Officer, P3

UNOLA - United Nations Office of Legal Affairs

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs. The Legal Officer reports to the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs through a Senior Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

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

• Handles a range of issues related to public international law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative, procedural and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, in consultation with Senior and Principal Legal Officers;
• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares studies, reports and correspondence;
• Undertakes reviews of legal documents, instruments or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law issues, including the United Nations Charter and General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, questions relating to the International Court of Justice to ensure that the statutory responsibilities of the Secretary-General under the Charter are fulfilled, treaty law and practice, and the constitutional law of the Organization;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements with governments and international organizations, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes. Services or assists 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.;
• Provides guidance to more junior staff;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of public international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the law of privileges and immunities and the law of peacekeeping operations; Familiarity with the institutions and organization of the UN system; Analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research on a range of relatively complex and intricate issues; Proficiency in legal drafting and ability to draft clearly and well under time pressure; Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given; Negotiating skills; 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;
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in public international law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required. At least two years of professional experience as a lawyer in the legal office of the secretariat of an intergovernmental organization or of a government ministry or department are required. Experience in professional legal work relating to international law governing privileges and immunities is desirable. Experience in professional legal work relating to the preparation and negotiation of international agreements and memoranda of understanding is desirable. Experience in professional legal work relating to the International Court of Justice is desirable. At least two years of professional experience working with the UN or a related intergovernmental organization is desirable.

Languages

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

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