Senior Legal Officer

Job Description

**Responsibilities** On secondment from the Office of Legal Affairs, the incumbent reports to the Director of the Secretariat Unit of the United Nations Rule of Law Coordination and Resources Group (ROL CRG). The ROL CRG, chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General, serves as focal point for coordinating system-wide attention for the rule of law to ensure quality, policy coherence and coordination among UN partners on rule of law matters. The incumbent will assist the ROL CRG and its Secretariat Unit to: -Periodically convene meetings of UN entities that provide rule of law assistance to discuss rule of law efforts; -Help ensure that the UN system responds to requests from States for assistance; -Provide policy direction on rule of law matters; -Ensure coordination and coherence of UN rule of law efforts and assist in the development of overall strategies for rule of law assistance in conjunction with designated lead entities; -Liaise with the Member States and outside entities, and facilitate contact between UN entities involved in rule of law programming and the Member States, regional and intergovernmental organizations, donors and non-governmental organizations. **Competencies** Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and knowledge of one or more rule of law sectors; Has significant understanding of the United Nations system; Exhibits excellent conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; Demonstrates the ability to identify best practices, formulate options and make recommendations for the development of strategic policy in the rule of law area; Demonstrates ability to incorporate gender perspectives into substantive work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;? Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Planning and 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. Leadership: Demonstrates ability to provide effective leadership within a team and empower and motivate others. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. Managing performance: Establishes priorities; Demonstrates ability in building and managing teams, coordinates and monitors the work of others; Demonstrates the ability to make timely decisions; to coach, motivate and develop staff and encourages good performance. **QUALIFICATIONS** Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law. A first level university degree in law with a qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Specialization in the international law or a specific training in that area is required. Work Experience A minimum of ten years progressively responsible experiences in the field of public international law, including at least 5 years in a national diplomatic service. Experience working with or for the UN is desirable. Experience in transitional justice and the rule of law in post conflict situations is highly desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language, preferably French, is desirable. Other Skills The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. **How to apply** All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. 1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a “My UN” account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. 2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. 3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. 4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Fax: + Please click to apply online.