Legal Officer, P-3

Legal Officer, P-3

UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiop

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA's five strategic directions which are advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

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

• Handle a range of issues related to constitutional, international, public, private, administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, in consultation with senior Legal Officers.
• Conduct extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Undertake extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international or private law issues, involving, inter alia, issues relating to the United Nations Charter. General Assembly resolutions, privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Prepare draft host country, conference and other agreements, and other legal texts and instruments required for the conduct of institutional or operational activities carried out by of the ECA,
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes and in handling private international law and international trade law matters.
• Assists in representing the Organization before the UN Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases;
• Provides legal advice on human resources and administrative matters;
• Prepare or assist with the preparation of seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
• 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of public international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the law of privileges and immunities; 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. 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 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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 the 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

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law with emphasis in the area of public international law. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law with emphasis in Public International Law is required
• Experience in legal analysis, research and writing is required
• A minimum of two years as an advocate/litigator before courts and tribunals is required.
• Experience working in an international organizations is desirable.
• 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English or French is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Apply NowDeadline 30 July