Org. Setting and Reporting

This temporary position is located in Nairobi within the Disciplinary Section of the Disciplinary Accountability Service (DS-DAS), Administrative Law Division (ALD), Office of Human Resources (OHR), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The incumbent reports to the Legal Officer of the Section. The Division is in charge of the implementation of the United Nations (UN) standards of conduct for all categories of personnel across the UN Secretariat. ALD provides strategic and legal advice on internal justice matters and represent the Secretary-General before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal. ALD handles disciplinary matters relating to Secretariat staff members, oversees and coordinates efforts and actions to prevent and respond to unsatisfactory conduct, and works to empower and support UN Secretariat managers in the exercise of their responsibilities to address conduct and discipline matters.

Responsibilities

The Legal Officer is responsible for the following duties: • Handles disciplinary matters from field operations, particularly MONUSCO, and a range of issues related to international, public, national, administrative law, including the interpretation and application of in that area of concentration, in consultation with senior Legal Officers. • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence. • Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal , instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international trade law and private international law, etc. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal submissions/motions as necessary in the course of investigations and prosecutions. • Assesses evidence for relevance and admissibility. • Prepares and assesses briefs of evidence. • Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc. • Represents or assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases. • Provides legal advice on human resources matters, reviews administrative matters. • Provides guidance to more junior staff. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal . Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop, and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required. Of the five years, two years of experience in litigation at the national or international level and first-hand experience appearing and leading evidence of witnesses before a court, tribunal, or equivalent administrative boards or bodies is required. Experience in handling disciplinary matters in national or international entities is desirable. Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or other similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).