Posting Title: LEGAL OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title: LEGAL OFFICER
Department/ Office: Office of Administration of Justice
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 25 March 2015-24 May 2015
Job Opening number: 15-LEG-OAJ-41190-R-NAIROBI(G)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) in Nairobi. The Dispute Tribunal hears and decides cases filed by or on behalf of current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions alleged to be in non-compliance with their terms of appointment or contract of employment. The Tribunal conducts hearings, issues orders, and renders binding judgments. Both staff members and the Administration have a right to appeal the judgments of the Dispute Tribunal to the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The Legal Officer will report to the UNDT Registrar in Nairobi.
Responsibilities
The Legal Officer will be responsible for providing substantive, technical and administrative support in the adjudication of cases to the Judges of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal in Nairobi. Duties will include
- Review of submissions to the Tribunal to ensure that they meet procedural requirements and identifying, where applicable, cases that are amenable to informal resolution, such as third party conciliation or mediation, to be brought to the attention of a judge for possible referrals to the Mediation Division in the Office of the Ombudsman;
- Respond or assist in the preparation of complex inquiries and referrals to the Mediation Division of the Office of the Ombudsman;
- Respond to complex inquiries and correspondence;
- Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence;
- Service Judges by preparing background materials and summaries of issues, as required;
- Attend meetings, and give ad hoc advice on emerging issues and questions, as required;
- Identify issues, draft legal texts and handle a wide range of complex legal matters involving interpretation and application of administrative law;
- Conduct extensive legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence;
- Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions;
- Assist the Tribunal in producing accurate, comprehensive judgements, including review of draft judgements for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies, and ensuring editorial uniformity prior to dissemination.
The Legal Officer will also
- Assist in maintaining the Tribunal’s registers (electronic and online), the publication and dissemination of the decisions, rulings and judgements rendered by the Tribunal, in the required official languages, through the agreed media;
- Assist in maintaining the Tribunal’s case law and jurisprudence databank;
- Assist in the preparation of reports on the work of the Tribunal to the General Assembly and other bodies, as may be mandated;
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism
- Knowledge of relevant Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, as well as of applicable jurisprudence;
- ability to apply legal and administrative expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual issues and problems, and to develop innovative and creative solutions;
- produce reports and papers on legal and administrative matters;
- analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature;
- discretion and sound judgement in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal and administrative issues;
- ability to influence others to reach agreement;
- ability to review and edit the work of others.
- 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.
Communication
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
- listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
- asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
- tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience;
- demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Client orientation
- Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and to see things from the 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;
- keep clients informed of progress or setbacks;
- meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law or related area.
- A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, preferably administrative law or related area is required.
- At least two years of that experience at the international level, preferably in an international public organization is desirable.
- Experience in judicial structures and procedures is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
- For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on ‘The Application Process’ and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
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