Job Opening
Posting Title: LEGAL OFFICER, P4
Job Code Title: LEGAL OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Logistic Base
Duty Station: BRINDISI
Posting Period: 26 October 2018 - 24 November 2018
Job Opening Number: 18-Legal Affairs-UNLB-103219-R-Brindisi (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) operates as a unified
entity, comprising the United Nations Global Service Centre, Brindisi
and the United Nations Information and Communications Technology
Facility, Valencia, to provide global geospatial, information and
telecommunications technologies, logistics and supply chain operational
management, as well as, enabling support services throughout the life
cycle of field missions, from start-up planning and preparation to
liquidation.The post is located in Central Service, UNGSC. The incumbent
works under the overall guidance of the Director of UNGSC and
day-to-day supervision by the Chief, Central Service, UNGSC.
Responsibilities
The incumbent is responsible for the following duties: Provides legal
advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the GSC's mandate and
activities, including public international,private and administrative
law matters, as well as issues of constitutional, labour law and other
national law as they affect the GSC or the mandate.
- In particular, provides legal advice and expertise on the
interpretation of the GSC's mandate, the legal status of the GSC and its
members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Host
Countries Agreements; advises on aspects of the GSC's operational
activities, including the GSC's internal issuances and related
guidelines, matters relating to international law, including
international humanitarian law, international criminal law, as
appropriate;
- Reviews, advises on various GSC SOPs and information circulars or
amendments thereto and verifies their consistency with the existing UN
regulation and rules;
- Advises on administrative, personnel and contractual matters,
including issues relating to the accountability of personnel,
procurement and customs matters, third party claims, as well as legal
questions involving the interpretation or application of UN regulations
and rules;
- Advises on, drafts and reviews agreements, institutional and operational modalities, major contracts, legal submissions and
other legal documents and provides advice on and participates in
negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes, and develops new
legal modalities, revisions and recommendations to meet unique
needs/circumstances.
- Liaises and participates in meetings and discussions with
governments and other institutions and entities; and with other UN
agencies, funds and programmes, as well as other internal and external
actors and organizations, as required.
- Participates in administrative Boards and Committees, including in
relation to the procurement process, claims and property management, and
on ad hoc working groups and task forces, assigned by the supervisor.
- Performs extensive legal research and analysis on highly complex or
novel legal issues/questions and prepares legal opinions, studies,
briefs, reports, and correspondence; represents the Service/Section at
meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
- Performs other duties, as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of international legal procedures and
instruments, both substantive and procedural. Ability to apply legal
expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal
issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions.
Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal
research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or
complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability
to prepare legal briefs, opinions, legal submissions/motions, and a
variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound
judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal
issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to
reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple
concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international
relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in
sharing information and keeping people informed.ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes
ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers
outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost
and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational
regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and
takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal
responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit;
where applicable.
Education
Advanced
university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in
law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
Experience in providing legal advice with respect to privileges and
immunities of an international organization, including host country
agreements and their implementation is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For
the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is
required. Knowledge of the local languages (Italian and/or Spanish) is
an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based 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.The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving
50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly
encouraged to apply for this position.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United
Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is
the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency,
competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for
employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of
international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian
law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor
traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that
they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term
'sexual exploitation' means any actual or attempted abuse of a position
of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes,
including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or
politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term 'sexual
abuse' means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual
nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as
wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. 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 Manual for the Applicant, which
can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right
side of the inspira account-holder homepage.The evaluation of applicants
will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the
application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and
the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the
Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the
Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.
Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to
their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions
provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No
amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to
applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious
consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to
verify the information provided in the application.Job openings
advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York
time) on the deadline date.
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.
