Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is in the Legal Unit, Human Resources Management Service at the United Nations Office, Geneva. Under the supervision of the Chief of the Unit, the Legal Officer provides support to management of UNOG and client organizations in the area of administrative law and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

– Supports UNOG management and client entities in responding to requests for Management Evaluation.
– Acts as Counsel for Respondent before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). This includes: preparing submissions on behalf of the Administration; representing the Administration in case management hearings and hearings on the merits; advising senior management on the filing of appeals and supporting the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) in the appeals procedure before the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
– Promotes conciliation and identify cases that are amenable to informal resolution. Conducts settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings with opposing counsels and ensure implementation of such settlement. Collaborates closely with the Office of the Ombudsman.
– Reviews formal and informal complaints raised against UN staff members for alleged misconduct, including harassment, discrimination and abuse of authority.
– Provides legal advise to senior management on issues arising in the context of investigations and recommend appropriate actions.
– Acts as strategic partner to counterparts in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), including Administrative Law Division (ALD), on disciplinary procedures. Monitors pending cases and ensure that disciplinary sanctions are implemented.
– Liaises with the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) or other investigative bodies. Ensures that sound legal and procedural guidance is given to local fact-finding panels and that all procedural requirements are met.
– Enhances knowledge within UNOG and client organizations about administrative legal matters, the jurisprudence, conflict of interest and matters of conduct and discipline through preparing and delivering trainings and briefings.
– Identifies trends, lessons learned and best practices from past cases and monitor the jurisprudence of the Tribunals and informs stakeholders accordingly.
– Takes the lead in projects promoting civility and respect in the workplace.
– Provides legal advice on a broad range of issues involving substantive and procedural questions of Administrative Law and interpretation of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and its policies.
– Prepares legal opinions, performs legal research and analysis on a wide range of issues.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the jurisprudence of International Administrative Tribunals. Knowledge of UN rules and regulations is essential. Demonstrates strong analytical skills. Demonstrates sound judgment, initiative and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive material. Knowledge of the jurisprudence of international administrative tribunals. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law is required. A first-level university degree in the above-mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Admission to a national bar is desirable.

A specialization in international administrative law is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of administrative law is required.

Four years of experience in an international public organization is required.

Litigation experience is required.

Experience in handling conduct and discipline matters is required.

Experience in negotiating settlement agreements is desirable.

Experience in delivering training and briefings is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. This position is funded overall for a two year period.

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

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

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 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.