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Legal Specialist, Legal Office/ Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York, ICS-10 (P-3)

Job Title: Legal Specialist, Legal Office/ Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York, ICS-10 (P-3)

Job ID: 2240

Rotation: This post is non-rotational. 

No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5 

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS VACANCY IS (10 JUNE 2013) 5:00 P.M NEW YORK TIME

Organizational Setting

The Legal Specialist post is located in the Legal Office/Office of the Executive Director (OED). The Legal Specialist reports to the Chief of the Legal Office. 

JOB PURPOSE: 

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

Main Tasks & Responsibilties

• 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. 

Qualifications and Experience

• 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. 

Required Competencies

CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Commitment to UNFPA’s 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 
• Promotion Organizational Change and Development 
• Promotion Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing 
• Impact and Influence 
• Organizational Awareness 
• Client Orientation 

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, 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. 

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, 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. 

Apply Online in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at https://erecruit.partneragencies.org/erecruit.html

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying at http://www.unfpa.org/employment.

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. 

Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.