Legal Officer, P-3

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	28 Aug 2012
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	28 Jun 2012
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	Field Missions Administered by DPKO
DUTY STATION:	Multiple D/S
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	12-LEG-PMSS-425779-R-MULTIPLE D/S

This Generic Job Opening is issued for roster purposes. Successful candidates will be placed on a roster for potential consideration for future United Nations Secretariat job openings with the same function at the same level in multiple duty stations. Placement on the roster does not guarantee employment with the United Nations.

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser and within limits of delegated authority, the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties: Handle matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, seeking guidance on complex issues from the Legal Adviser. Prepare legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacekeeping and other operational matters, separately-administered programs and funds, etc. Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence. Review, advise on and draft contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities and other legal documents; as necessary, develop new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances. Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes. Represent the organization in judicial, arbitral or administrative proceedings. Serve on various standing boards and committees as required. Provide guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff on straightforward matters. Any other activity deemed appropriate by the Legal Adviser. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: the Legal Adviser for guidance and reporting; colleagues and senior officers; counterparts, senior attorneys and officials in UN system organizations, governments, law firms and other external entities.

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 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. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. 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; 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. Client Orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law with a specialization in international, administrative, commercial and/or criminal law required. A first level university degree in law with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is required in the practice of law in an international organization, a government, or a law firm, with substantial experience in international, administrative, commercial and/or criminal law matters.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English or French; knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage and sometimes a requirement. Fluency in the local language may be essential.

Other Skills

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: staffing@un.org, Fax: 1-212-963-2800 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.