Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization to promote international co-operation. A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was established on 24 October 1945

Responsibilities or duties

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, the Legal Officer represents the Secretary-General in written and oral proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and may be responsible for the following duties:

• Handles a range of issues related to international, public, private and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations.
• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public or private law issues, including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes in the context of the administration of justice matters
• Assesses evidence for relevance and admissibility.
• Prepares and assesses briefs of evidence.
• Provides legal advice on human resources matters; reviews administrative matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Education

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 university degree.

Experience needed

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required. Of these five years, two years in litigation at the national or international level and must include first-hand experience in appearing and leading the evidence of witnesses before a court or tribunal or equivalent administrative board and bodies is required.

Experience at the national or international level in administrative and employment or labour law is required.

Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable.

• Handles a range of issues related to international, public, private and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations.
• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public or private law issues, including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions involving constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes in the context of the administration of justice matters
• Assesses evidence for relevance and admissibility.
• Prepares and assesses briefs of evidence.
• Provides legal advice on human resources matters; reviews administrative matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Legal research and analysis
• Legal writing
• Litigation
• Administrative law
• Employment law
• Labour law
• Interpretation of legal instruments
• Negotiation
• Evidence assessment
• Legal opinions/advice

• 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 university degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
• Two years in litigation at the national or international level is required.
• First-hand experience in appearing and leading the evidence of witnesses before a court or tribunal or equivalent administrative board and bodies is required.
• Experience at the national or international level in administrative and employment or labour law is required.
• Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable.