Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Judicial Affairs Officer, P-3 will report to the Chief of Justice and Corrections or to the Head of the Unit responsible for Reestablishing State Authority within the Justice and Corrections Section. The focus of this job is to advise and support the Reestablishing State Authority Unit (RESAU) on work related to implementing the national justice sector reform strategy.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to the rule of law and the development/reform of the justice and legal systems and, depending on the mission’s structures, the prison system, to include advising national counterparts, providing training and monitoring the court and legal systems, etc.
• Serves as a recognized expert in one or more areas of concentration (e.g. gender justice, juvenile justice, ·etc.) ; provides policy and operational advice to senior management on an ongoing basis and assists in programming related activities at the national level; independently handles a wide range of multidiscipline, highly complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters involving issues relating to the development or reform of legal or judicial systems/institutions.
• Participates in work teams; guides, supervises and evaluates the work of junior officers; may assist in the general management and administration of the work unit, organizing and prioritizing the workload and providing general coordination and supervision of assignments.
• Provides support to the School of Administration and Magistrates.
• Supports the Ministry of Justice in the preparation of planning documents, inter alia, under the national justice sector reform strategy.
• Supports the Ministry of Justice in developing its capacities to draft legislation.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises all activities in assigned area; ensures an integrated and harmonized
approach among other components of the mission (e.g. corrections, human rights, political affairs, policy,
gender, child protections, etc.) and UN entities.
• Promotes knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for, and inclusion of, local actors in all judicial and legal system initiatives.
• Participates in research studies and the preparation of written outputs, as well as performs extensive legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares reports, studies, briefs, reports, and other written material; participates in legislative reviews and prepares commentaries.
• Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to regional and local commissions, standing committees, and other offices, etc.
• Coordinates/performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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. 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, or bar qualification, or equivalent, in addition to a first level degree in law, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with other relevant academic qualifications and/or two additional years of legal experience in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience, including three years as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, or advisor in the field of justice, is required.

A minimum of one year of experience providing technical assistance for the development or reform of legal and judicial institutions, including coordination of implementation of a justice sector strategy, in a transitional, developmental, or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required.

A minimum of two years of experience working in the legislative drafting unit within a Ministry is required.

Significant experience supporting judicial education institutions is required.

Experience providing services in the field of Judicial affairs or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.