UN Legal Officer Job Vacancy in New York, USA

Job Title: LEGAL OFFICER, P4

Department/ Office: Department of Management

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 23 November 2012-22 January 2013

Job Opening number: 12-LEG-DM-25435-R-NEW YORK (R)

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

Organizational Setting and Reporting

Under the supervision of the Chief, Management Evaluation Unit, Department of Management, the Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting management evaluations of administrative decisions taken by decision-makers in the Organization, Secretariat-wide, including in peacekeeping missions, and making recommendations on whether the decision should be upheld or not or whether the request should be settled.

Responsibilities

Specific duties will include:

·         Review contested administrative decisions;

·         Obtain comments and other information from management on the contested decisions;

·         Conduct extensive legal research, provide detailed analysis of assigned matters and, as required, prepare background materials and summaries of issues;

·         Take the lead to resolve disputes by identifying settlement options, when appropriate;

·         Prepare documentation and correspondence relevant to assigned matters including, by responding in writing to the staff member with a detailed analysis of assigned matters;

·         Attend meetings and give ad hoc advice on emerging issues and questions;

·         Serve as lead officer in assigned matters;

·         Provide legal and administrative advice on diverse substantive and procedural legal questions of considerable complexity.

The Legal Officer will also:

·         Assist in monitoring the use of decision making authority by identifying possible trends of management decision making;

·         Make specific recommendations on managerial accountability and, where warranted, identifying circumstances of when delegated managerial authority should be withdrawn;

·         Advise on when matters should be referred for investigation by identifying the relevant circumstances;

·         Assist in maintaining and developing the Unit's tracking system of the matters which have been evaluated and the actions taken;

·         Conduct outreach activities on behalf of the MEU;

·         Assist in preparing Lessons Learned Guides or Reports of the MEU;

·         Prepare inputs for reports on the work of the Unit to the General Assembly and other bodies, as may be mandated;

·         Train junior Legal Officers, supervise Legal Assistants and manage legal interns;

·         Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• 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 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 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

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international or administrative law or closely 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.

Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in law, at least 3 of which in international and administrative law, are required. At least 1 year experience in the application of regulations and rules, policies, procedure and decision-making processes of an international organization is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Ability to work in French is desirable.

Assessment Method

Short-listed applicants will be invited to a written test. Those which succeed in the written test will be contacted for an interview.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

United Nations Considerations

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Closing Date: Tuesday, 22 January 2013