Legal Officer (for roster purposes), Leidschendam, Netherlands

• Organization: STL - Special Tribunal for Lebanon
• Country: Netherlands
• Field location: Leidschendam, Netherlands
• Office: STL - Special Tribunal for Lebanon in Leidschendam
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Closing date: Friday, 5 January 2018

Legal Officer (for roster purposes)
Vacancy Ref: NL-OTR-IOR-P3-844
Deadline for Applications: 5 January 2018
Issuance Date: 21 December 2017
Location: Leidschendam
Organ / Section: REGISTRY
  /   Legal Section
Post Level: P-3
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package will be offered. The successful applicant will be offered an appointment limited to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL). Any subsequent extension(s) are subject to terms of the Tribunal's mandate and/or the availability of the funds. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an international inter-governmental organization with its own independent legal identity and not a UN organization. However, STL follows the UN common system for benefits and entitlements to its staff members. UN staff members may also serve on loan from their parent department/office, if selected. The recruitment process may include a pre-selection procedure, written tests and interviews to assess levels of competency.
A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this particular profile as a result of this selection process for both fixed-term established and general temporary assistance posts.
It is not necessary at this stage to send copies of qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications, etc.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only applicants who are under serious consideration will be contacted. The Tribunal is not in a position to respond to queries regarding information on the status of vacancies or unsolicited open applications.
The tribunal reserves the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. All applications will be handled with strictest confidentiality.
*The English version of this vacancy announcement is authentic. The French and Arabic version, if available, is not an official translation and is provided for information purposes only
Responsibilities
Under the overall direction of the Registrar and the general supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor to the Registrar and in coordination, the incumbent is responsible for:

• Providing and coordinating all legal and related policy advice on issues related to the functioning and management of the Tribunal. These issues refer to the internal law of the organization, including all legal issues related to the administration of the Tribunal (procurement, personnel, and general administrative law matters) and the legal aspects of the Tribunal's external activities, including negotiations of Memoranda of Understanding and international agreements, host country matters, and privileges and immunities;
• Providing specialized legal advice on the negotiation of agreements to enforce the Tribunal's sentences and on the relocation of threatened witnesses;
• Drafting and reviewing court filings on a range of matters impacting the Registry, including, victim participation, witnesses and protective measures, court management and the role and responsibilities of the Registrar;
• Conducting extensive legal research and analysis and preparing studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence;
• Undertaking basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments or other material; identifying important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.;
• Preparing or assisting in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities;
• Assisting in representing the Organisation before the internal systems of justice, including disciplinary cases.

The Legal Officer may be called upon to serve as the principal legal adviser to the Registrar during the absence of the Senior Legal Advisor, and may also be called upon to provide legal advice to the President of the Tribunal and the Prosecutor and Head of Defence when required.
Knowledge and Skills

• Professionalism - In-depth theoretical knowledge, including knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments and significant experience in applying legal expertise to analysing diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions; Outstanding drafting skills; strong research and outstanding analytical skills; Discretion and sound judgement in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues; proven ability to effectively review and edit the work of others; diplomacy and tact;
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
• Planning & Organizing - Strong organisational skills including proven ability to plan and coordinate own work as well as that of others, and to work under tight deadlines; identifies priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities based on exigency
• Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to persuade people with varying points of view; ability to convey difficult issues and positions including to senior officials; ability to prepare written reports and orally convey information in a clear, concise, accurate and meaningful manner; superior skills in legal writing and expression and ability to independently prepare legal papers.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree in law preferably with specialization in criminal or international law. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 (7 if in possession of a first level university degree) in international law, criminal law, administrative law or commercial law.
• Languages: Arabic, English and French are the official languages of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. For this post proficiency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is highly desirable and may be required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon