Senior Legal Officer (Temporary Job Opening)

The Senior Legal Officer (Chief) is responsible for managing the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) in New York, providing legal assistance to UN staff members in the internal justice system, including administrative, disciplinary, and appellate proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The role includes supervising legal officers, providing strategic legal advice, representing clients, managing resources, and coordinating outreach and training activities.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the effective and efficient discharge of OSLA's mandate.
• Coordinates and supervises the work of legal officers and the other staff of the unit.
• Provides strategic legal and policy advice and managerial support to legal officers to maximize resource utilization and efficiencies.
• Advises clients on matters relating to appeals against administrative decisions and the imposition of disciplinary measures.
• Provides legal advice on diverse and complex substantive and procedural questions with a view to resolving workplace disputes.
• Represents clients and coordinates the representation of clients in the formal internal justice system including before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
• Prepares written and oral submissions to the Tribunals in accordance with procedural requirements.
• Manages the human, financial and other resources allocated to the unit, as required.
• Develops and maintains standard procedures and monitoring and reporting mechanisms as well as innovative ideas in problem prevention and dispute resolution.
• Ensures the maintenance of the unit's registers (electronic and online) and database.
• Prepares input for reports on the work of the unit to the General Assembly and other bodies, as may be mandated, and represents the unit in relevant bodies.
• Analyses the implications of emerging issues in the unit and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures.
• Coordinates and participates in outreach and training activities by OSLA.
• Establishes, manages and coordinates a reliable network of volunteer/pro bono counsel and legal interns and ensures their supervision and support.
• Advises the Executive Director on administrative, human resources and logistical matters related to the unit's operational activities.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) in law with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
• A minimum of five years' experience as a litigator appearing before courts and tribunals in the areas of administrative law, labor or employment law is required.
• A minimum of three years' experience in managing teams or an office, including the management of lawyers, is required.
• Experience in giving legal advice in the areas of civil procedure, administrative law or employment law is required.
• A minimum of one year of experience in criminal law litigation is desirable.
• Experience within the UN common system or other similar international organizations is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• French is desirable at UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Administrative Law
• Labour Law
• Employment Law
• Civil Procedure
• Criminal Law Litigation
• Legal Advice
• Team Management
• Office Management
• Supervising Legal Officers
• Strategic Legal Advice
• Client Representation
• Resource Management
• Outreach Coordination
• Training Coordination

Languages

English, French