Legal Officer, P-4

UNOLA - United Nations Office of Legal Affairs

New York, United States

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Codification Division, Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). Under the general supervision of the Director of the Codification Division, the incumbent reports to a Principal Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

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

Serves as a lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments in that area of concentration (both substantive and procedural);
Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares memoranda, studies, briefs, and reports on various legal documents in international law as requested by the General Assembly, the International Law Commission and other bodies;
Services diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies including the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly and the International Law Commission including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, and meeting reports;
Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity;
Serves as a lead officer in all substantive and operational aspects of the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law (the "POA"), including international law training programmes and matters related to the Audiovisual Library of International Law;
Reviews, advises on and drafts complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities, and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances;
Prepares official communications to Governments, intergovernmental organizations, interdepartmental offices and responds to queries about various issues addressed to the Division;
Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the organization at meetings, conferences, seminars;
Coordinates and directs teams of other legal officers dealing with significant problems as required, and/or mentors and supervises the work of junior officers on specific projects;
Contributes to review and design of new, or new applications of, legal instruments, policy and/or guidelines;
Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of public international law, both substantive and procedural, and its application to a diverse range of complex and unusual legal principles, issues and concepts. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues of public international law, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare agreements, reports, legal commentaries, draft resolutions, briefing notes, talking points and other legal briefs, memoranda, or legal submissions and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Knowledge of administrative policies of the United Nations related to financial and human resources. Demonstrated oral communication skills. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal and policy issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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;
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 AND 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 is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Experience in legal analysis and research on public international law issues, with emphasis on its progressive development and codification, is required. Experience in project management is desirable. Experience working as a legal officer in an international organization is desirable. Experience in applying administrative policies of the United Nations or of another international organization is desirable. Experience servicing diplomatic conferences or legal bodies of the United Nations or of another international organization is desirable.

Languages

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

Apply Now

Don't forget to mention IntJobs when applying.

Share this Job