Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) based in Mogadishu, Somalia. The incumbents will report directly to the Senior Legal Officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary General / Legal Affairs Section. The incumbents will contribute to the provision of timely and effective legal expertise and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the Mission’s mandate and activities, including public, international, private, and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law. The incumbents will suggest effective approaches to legal issues, and innovative solutions to legal problems/issues that arise in the Mission. They will contribute to the drafting of directives, guidelines and best practices in the Mission.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Section, Legal Affairs and /or more senior Legal Officer(s), as appropriate, the Legal Officers may be responsible for the following duties:
• Assist in preparation of or provide legal opinions and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the United Nations Mission’s mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, and in particular on the identification, interpretation and application of constitutional and other national laws, legislative instruments, court procedures and local legal protocols and practices as they affect the Mission or the mandate.
• Provide or assist in the provision of advice on: the interpretation of the Mission’s mandate, the legal status of the Mission and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Status of Forces/Status of Mission Agreements; on legal aspects of the Mission’s operational activities, including the Mission’s rules of engagement and directives on the use of force and related guidelines, matters relating to international law, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law and the protection of civilians, as appropriate; on administrative, personnel and contractual matters, including issues relating to the accountability of personnel, procurement matters, third party claims, as well as legal questions involving the interpretation or application of UN regulations and rules.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation and review of draft agreements, institutional and operational modalities, contracts, legal submissions, and other legal documents, and assist and participate in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes.
• Establish and maintain or assist in establishing and maintaining effective coordination and working relations with national authorities, including Government representatives, local tribunals, public entities and agencies; and participate at meetings, discussions and negotiations with such local entities and individuals as required.
• Participate at meetings and discussions with other Mission offices, other UN agencies funds and programmes, and may participate in administrative Committees, including in relation to the procurement process, claims and property management, and on ad hoc working groups, task forces and training activities, as assigned by the Chief of Service/Section, Legal Affairs.
• Conduct legal research and analysis using multiple research sources, translate and interpret local laws and legal documents, as required, and prepare or assist in the preparation of legal opinions, studies, briefs, background papers, reports, and correspondence.
• May supervise, or provide guidance to more junior Legal Officers and staff.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of conceptual international law standards, applicable UN rules and regulations, and ability to translate this knowledge into the work product. 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 relevant specialized field of law. A first level university degree in law combination with relevant qualifying experience in law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required.

Experience working in a peacekeeping mission or in an international/multi-cultural environment is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against these positions is for an initial period of one year. Therefore, these positions are funded for an initial period of one year. An extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Recruitment against these positions are on a local basis. THESE POSITIONS ARE OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SOMALIA ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where these positions are located. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to assume the appointment.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted, and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the Hiring Manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity -among its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Interested applicants who are working with UN Contractors must fulfill the obligations of their contracts with the UN Contractors in order to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

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.