Legal Officer, P-4

UN HABITAT - United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Nairobi, Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty The Office of the Executive Director is responsible for the formulation of a clear and consistent vision for UN-Habitat, as well as the policies necessary to effectuate that vision; establishing operational priorities and strategies, in consultation with senior management of the programme; ensuring effective management and accountability of the programme and budget; and engaging with key Member States and other stakeholders to secure both political and financial support for UN-Habitat. The Legal Unit is responsible for ensuring that UN-Habitat’s activities are carried out in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks and relevant law of the United Nations by providing legal advice and assistance, undertaking due diligence and quality assurance on a range of issues pertaining to the activities of UN-Habitat to reduce the exposure of legal claims, disputes and liabilities to UN-Habitat, internally and externally as well as representing UN-Habitat’s rights, positions and interests in contractual or litigation matters before the various internal administrative tribunals. The position is located in the Legal Unit within the Office of the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Head of the Legal Unit, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

Advises and handles complex legal and policy issues on a wide range of areas related to human settlements, housing, water sanitations and infrastructure projects, constitutional, international, public, private, administrative, and, for Tribunals, (substantive, procedural and comparative) law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing UN-Habitat’s activities and operations.
Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence relating on a wide range of legal issues, sustainable human settlements, the core focus areas of UN-Habitat’s work and the framework for the New Urban Agenda.
Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material relating to sustainable human settlements, the core focus areas of UN-Habitat’s work for the New Urban Agenda and identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background documents, policies, standard operating procedures, papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials relating to UN-Habitat’s work, its internal policies and procedures and opinions in the field of international law.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of legal issues involving international public or private law, human settlements projects, activities incidental to the implementation of UN-Habitat’s mandate including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, peace and security, criminal prosecutions, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of United Nations organs, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
Prepares or assists in the preparation and review of agreements, reports and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes arising from such agreements and contracts.
Assists colleagues in servicing meetings, conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, minutes, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
Assists in representing the Organization in legal disputes by providing written briefs, motions/submissions and in oral proceedings before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases and other matters before the Management Advice and Evaluation Section (MAES) and the UNDT.
Review, advise on and draft legal briefs, submissions, and pleadings before the UNDT and UNAT.
Provides legal advice on human resources and reviews administrative matters.
Provides guidance and supervise newly recruited personnel in the Legal Unit on the work of the Legal Unit.
Carry out the necessary administrative duties for maintaining the Legal Unit’s database (electronic and online), posting and retrieving of legal materials.
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 by the Head of the Legal Unit.

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 the jurisprudence of the United Nations Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal as well as the United Nations Administrative Tribunal and/or comparable body; Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, the United Nations Conventions on Privileges and Immunities, the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, the Staff Rules and Regulations and the Rules and procedures of the United Nations and provide clear and concise legal opinions and recommendations. Knowledge of the United Nations Ethics framework and matters relating to the prevention, investigation and monitoring of complaints of prohibited conduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Knowledge of the working of intergovernmental bodies (Assemblies, Executive Boards etc., and advising the relevant stakeholders on their Rules of Procedures and the preparation of their reports. Ability to draft legal documents and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.
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.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree, (Master’s degree or equivalent), in international relations and/or law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in law, obtained in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization, or a government, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in providing legal and policy advice to intergovernmental bodies such as the Executive Boards, UN Governing Bodies etc. on matters relating to their mandates, rules of procedure and supporting their meetings is desirable. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the drafting, reviewing, negotiating and developing of international agreements and other legal instruments such as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Host Country and Conference Agreements between different stakeholders in the international arena is desirable. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in legal representation in matters related to the United Nations or similar international organization’s internal justice system, including legal representation before Dispute tribunals or Appeal bodies is desirable. Legal experience in an international or intergovernmental organization providing advice in the conceptualization, implementation and legal review of human settlements, housing and humanitarian projects particularly in conflict and post conflict situations is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of "equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Apply Now

Don't forget to mention IntJobs when applying.

Share this Job