Legal Officer

The Legal Officer provides legal assistance to staff members within the UN internal justice system, including representation before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The role involves legal research, drafting submissions, advising clients on administrative and disciplinary matters, and assisting in the management of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to persons included in the scope of the administration of justice as defined by General Assembly resolution 63/253.
• Advise clients on issues relating to appeals against administrative decisions and disciplinary matters.
• Represent and litigate on behalf of clients before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
• Prepare written and oral submissions to these bodies ensuring procedural compliance.
• Identify cases amenable to informal resolution such as settlement or mediation and assist clients in the process.
• Assist in responding to complex inquiries and correspondence.
• Identify legal issues, draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence.
• Conduct extensive legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence.
• Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions.
• Assist the Office in producing accurate, comprehensive submissions, including reviewing draft submissions for inconsistencies or inaccuracies.
• Assist in maintaining the Office's registers and a legal precedent reporting database.
• Assist in the preparation of reports on the work of the Office to the General Assembly and other bodies as mandated.
• Assist in ensuring administrative and budgetary requirements of the respective office or other relevant OSLA duty station.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in international 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.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
• Two years of litigation experience at the national or international level including first-hand experience in appearing and leading the evidence of witnesses before a court or tribunal is required.
• Experience within the UN common system or other similar international organizations is desirable.
• English is required; either French or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish or Russian is desirable.

Skills

• International Law
• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Litigation Experience
• Court Representation
• Witness Examination
• Legal Advice
• Administrative Law
• Disciplinary Law
• UN Internal Justice Systems
• Drafting Legal Submissions
• Case Management
• Staff Legal Assistance
• UN Dispute Tribunal
• UN Appeals Tribunal

Languages

English, French, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, Russian