Legal Officer, P3

About the Role

Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for handling legal matters, appeals, and a range of issues related to international, public, national, and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of law in that area of concentration, in consultation with senior Legal Officers.

Responsibilities

• Handles appeals matters and a range of issues related to international, public, national, administrative law, including the interpretation and application of law in that area of concentration, in consultation with senior Legal Officers.
• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence.
• Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts, and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international trade law and private international law.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal submissions/motions as necessary in the course of investigations and prosecutions.
• Assesses evidence for relevance and admissibility; prepares and assesses briefs of evidence.
• Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups, and other bodies.
• Represents or assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings.
• Provides legal advice on human resources matters and reviews administrative matters.
• Provides guidance to more junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of legal principles, concepts, procedures, and terminology. Proficiency in legal research sources and ability to conduct research on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of civil law and/or common law legal systems. Ability to draft legal papers under pressure.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages, and responds appropriately.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals, prioritizes activities, allocates appropriate time and resources, and foresees risks.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
• Two years of experience in litigation at the national or international level and first-hand experience appearing and leading evidence of witnesses before a court, tribunal, or equivalent administrative boards or bodies is required.
• Experience at the international level in administrative and/or employment and labour law is required.
• Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures, and operations of the United Nations or other similar international organization is desirable.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online via the UN Careers portal at careers.un.org.