Legal Officer

Organizational Context

The Administrative Law Division (ALD) within the UN Secretariat's Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance implements UN standards of conduct. ALD provides legal advice on internal justice, handles disciplinary matters, and supports managers. This role is situated within the Critical Incident Response Section (CIRS) in Nairobi, reporting to the Chief of Section.

Job Purpose

The Legal Officer serves as a lead in handling critical incidents, enforcing conduct standards, and managing sexual exploitation and abuse cases. This role involves independently managing complex legal matters across international, public, national, and administrative law. The incumbent provides expert legal advice on diverse and complex issues, conducts extensive research, prepares legal opinions and submissions, and advises on the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules. The position requires representing the organization in tribunals and administrative proceedings, contributing to policy development, and potentially coordinating junior officers, all while upholding the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity within the UN system.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead officer for critical incidents, conduct standards enforcement, and sexual exploitation/abuse cases. Independently manage complex legal matters involving international, public, national, and administrative law, including interpretation and application of relevant instruments. Provide expert legal advice on substantive and procedural questions of significant complexity, covering administration, management, peacekeeping, criminal investigations, and prosecutions. Conduct thorough legal research and analysis, preparing legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence. Draft legal submissions and motions for investigations and prosecutions. Review, advise on, and draft complex legal documents, developing new legal modalities as needed. Advise on and participate in negotiations and settlements of claims and disputes. Provide legal counsel on staff regulations and rules, review administrative decisions, and prepare amendments. Represent the organization in complex cases before arbitral tribunals and administrative proceedings. Coordinate and direct teams of legal officers and mentor junior staff. Contribute to the review and design of legal instruments and policies. Perform other assigned duties.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in administrative or employment law is required. Two years of litigation experience at the national or international level, including court/tribunal appearances, is also required. Experience with UN Staff Regulations and Rules, or similar international organizations, is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, strong analytical and research skills, legal writing and drafting, litigation experience, negotiation skills, ability to work under pressure, knowledge of UN system, effective communication (written and verbal), planning and organizing.

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