Legal Officer

Organizational Context

This Legal Officer position is based in the Nairobi office within the Appeals and Accountability Section of the Administrative Law Division (ALD), Office of Human Resources. ALD is responsible for implementing UN standards of conduct, providing legal advice on internal justice matters, and representing the Secretary-General before the UN Dispute Tribunal. The division also handles disciplinary matters and supports managers in addressing conduct issues.

Job Purpose

The Legal Officer, reporting to the Chief of Section, will represent the Secretary-General in proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). This involves handling a broad spectrum of international, public, private, and administrative law issues, including interpreting UN instruments. The role requires conducting extensive legal research, preparing studies, briefs, and reports, and providing legal opinions on matters related to the UN Charter and administrative law. Additionally, the Legal Officer will assist in drafting agreements, negotiating settlements for disputes within the administration of justice framework, assessing evidence, and offering legal advice on human resources and administrative matters.

Responsibilities

Represent the Secretary-General in written and oral proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). Handle diverse legal issues, including international, public, private, and administrative law, and interpret UN governing instruments. Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis, preparing studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence. Review legal documents to identify key issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. Draft background papers, studies, reports, and legislative texts. Provide legal opinions and advice on international public/private law, UN Charter, and administrative law. Assist in preparing agreements and negotiating settlements for justice administration disputes. Assess evidence for relevance and admissibility, and prepare briefs of evidence. Offer legal counsel on human resources matters and review administrative issues. Perform other assigned duties.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive legal experience is mandatory. This includes two years of litigation experience at the national or international level, with direct experience presenting and leading witness evidence before a court or tribunal. Experience in administrative and employment/labour law at the national or international level is also required. Experience with UN staff regulations, rules, and procedures is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, legal research and analysis, litigation, administrative and employment/labour law, UN jurisprudence, sound judgment, discretion, communication (written and oral), planning and organizing, time management.

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