Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Office of Rule and Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Justice and Corrections Service (JCS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Service or her/his delegate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Draft, compile, review and edit briefing notes, code cables, memoranda, talking points and other documents for the for Chief of Service, Assistant Secretary-General, and the Under-Secretary-General; • Provide quality control for outgoing correspondence, cables, notes and other documents for approval by the Chief of Service; • Assist the Chief of Service or her/his delegate in the administration of the Service, including the development of workplans and budgetary documents; • Liaise with partners within and outside the Department of Peace Operations, including other United Nations entities engaged in the rule of law through the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law; • Contribute to the development of technical guidance materials and training tools, including by supporting lessons learned and best practices exercises to inform new and updated guidance materials and training tools; • Work with the Executive Office to develop vacancy announcements, screen candidates and support recruitment processes for United Nations field missions; and manage the recruitment of and support to interns; • Assist the development of project proposals in the justice and corrections areas for donor funding; • Organize briefings, conferences meetings and training events; contribute to strategic communications initiatives of the Service, including preparation of social media material; • Provide backstopping support to justice and corrections components in United Nations peace operations; • Review and analyze justice issues in United Nations peace operations; • Maintain regular contact with mission counterparts, and provide rapid feedback on periodic reports and code cables from missions; • Plan justice and legal system aspects of peace operations; • Participate in or prepare for justice and corrections and rule of law field assessments, reviews or technical support missions and draft corresponding reports; • Perform any other 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. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social science, political science, international relations, public relations or communications or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level or advanced university degree in law is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five-years experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal justice or corrections expert, or international rule of law advisor is required. This must include at least one year supporting international rule of law, justice or corrections initiatives at the headquarters level, or at least one year providing such support in a transitional, development or post-conflict setting outside the incumbent’s own country of origin. A minimum of one year experience working at United Nations Headquarters/Secretariat in New York is required. A minimum of one year experience drafting strategic United Nations documents is required. A minimum of one year experience with resource mobilization and fund management is required. A minimum of one year of experience working in an international peace operation is desirable. A minimum of one year experience working in a front office setting is desirable. A minimum of one year experience convening and engaging Member States to marshal support for initiatives in support of justice and corrections issues in post-conflict settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required; and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.