Principal Legal Officer (General Law), P-5

UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Amman, Jordan

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Principal Legal Officer (General Law) focuses on developing strategies to promote and implement, as well as providing advice and training on, the following topics: contractual and procurement matters, resolution of commercial and contractual disputes, the Agency’s regulatory framework, public international law issues, administrative law issues, and management of appeals before the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal. This Principal Legal Officer (General Law) reports to the Director or Legal Affairs.

Responsibilities

Directly supports the Director of Legal Affairs in all aspects of work; assists the Director of Legal Affairs in leading the programme of work and management of the human and financial resources of the Department; and provides strategic and technical leadership for the Agency’s lawyers with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice.
Develops strategies to promote and implement the Agency’s legal function; provides advice and training on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including General Assembly resolutions, Staff and Financial Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, organizational directives, and in particular regarding Agency governance and management of administrative, contractual and procurement law issues; advises other departments (Headquarters and Fields) on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework; provides technical expertise and advice on amendments to the Agency’s regulatory framework, including drafting of Agency regulations and rules and drafting or reviewing of legal opinions on complex or sensitive financial issues including interpretation of the Agency Finance Regulations and Technical Instructions.
Reviews drafts of all types of Agency contractual modalities, including complex contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, memoranda of understanding with partners and funding agreements; provides training in connection therewith.
Contributes to the Department’s client-oriented service delivery; contributes to identifying and addressing important strategic legal and policy issues facing the Agency; provides and supervises the provision of legal input into the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy relating to all areas of UNRWA.
Advises on resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency, including overseeing, supporting and conducting negotiations, settlement and arbitration.
Provides and supervises provision of legal advice, training, outreach and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment law, in particular advises on investigations and disciplinary matters; reviews draft of Agency submissions to the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal and appears before the Tribunals as required.
In collaboration with the Principal Legal Officer (International Law), and as required, ensures the consistent interpretation and application of international law throughout the Agency; provides and supervises provision of advice and training on relevant public international law, including UN law and international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law; provides advice on relevant public international law issues, in particular the status, mandate, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel.
Establishes and maintains relations with representatives of host and other governments, the UN Office of Legal Affairs, UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNSCO and other entities with respect to issues of legal concern.
Serves as a member of the Agency’s Headquarters Committee on Procurement and participates in other committees and bodies as required.

Competencies

UN Core Values of integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

Functional

Formulating Strategies and Concepts.
Analyzing.
Deciding and Initiating Action.

Leadership

Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership.
Managing Complexity and Change.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in international law, contract law, commercial law and/or administrative law.
A first-level degree together 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 university degree.

Work Experience

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in international law, contract law, commercial law and/or administrative law. A first-level degree together 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 university degree is required.
At least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO, including a period of experience in contract, commercial, administrative and/or public international law, and three years of professional work experience at a senior level is required.
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required.
Experience in appeals to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, United Nations Appeals Tribunal, ILO Administrative Tribunal or other international administrative tribunal is desired.
Knowledge of the history and contemporary problems of the Middle East is desired.
Familiarity with UN Common System and practices is desired.
Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post.