Legal Specialist, Policy and Planning Branch, Division for Human Resources, UNFPA, ICS-10 (P3)

VACANCY NO.: Job ID 1857

POST TYPE: Non-Rotational

DUTY STATION: New York

DURATION: One year (renewable)*

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Policy and Planning Branch, Division for Human Resources (As of 1 January 2012, the post will be in Office of the Executive Director.)

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:

The Legal Specialist post is located in the Division for Human Resources, Planning and Policy Branch (as of 1 January 2012, the post will be in Office of the Executive Director.) The Legal Specialist reports to the Policy/Legal Adviser and is a part of a team of three UNFPA legal officers.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the overall supervision of the Policy/Legal Adviser, the Legal Specialist provides legal support to UNFPA management, headquarters units, regional offices and country offices.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal advice, in coordination with UN/OLA and UNFPA DHR as appropriate, to UNFPA management, headquarters units and country/regional offices on the application of the Staff Regulations, Rules and procedures governing the internal justice system and other relevant aspects of employment and human resources management, including disciplinary matters, privileges and immunities, rights and obligations of staff, legal status of staff and their dependants, financial recovery, taxation and insurance issues; • Prepare written responses and other submissions as required on behalf of the Administration in response to applications and other submissions filed before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT); Represent the Administration before the UNDT, including but not limited to, in directions hearings and hearings on the merits; Generally attend to all stages of proceedings before the UNDT as well as the conduct of settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required; • Provide advice to senior officials regarding requests for management evaluation; draft responses to requests for management evaluation; • Assist in the drafting and interpretation of policies and procedures involving administrative/employment law issues; Generally provide advice on a broad range of issues involving substantive and procedural questions of administrative law; • Provide legal opinions and perform extensive legal research and analysis on legal issues for the office; • Represent the UNFPA legal function in relevant meetings, when required; • Provide advice on issues related to privileges and immunities of staff members as appropriate; • Provide legal advice concerning contract disputes involving service contractors and individual consultants; • Perform other legal functions as requested by the Policy/Legal Advisor. Core Competencies:

 Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles;  Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management;  Team Work/Communication/Self-Management  Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;  Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning Functional Competencies:

 Strategic alignment of human resource practices  Promoting organizational change and development  Promoting organizational learning and knowledge sharing  Impact and influence  Organizational awareness  Client orientation  Job knowledge/technical expertise

Job Requirements:

 Advanced university degree in law. Specialization in international law, labor law and/or administrative law an asset;  Admitted to practice law in national jurisdiction.  5 years experience in the practice of international law with a law firm, a government and/or an international organization;  Practical advocacy experience an asset.  Excellent legal communications and drafting skills;  Excellent capability to manage risk.  Fluency in English required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.

How to Apply:

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

• No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5