SENIOR RULE OF LAW OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is within the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Service of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), based in Tripoli. UNSMIL is an integrated special political mission with a mandate defined by UN resolutions. The role reports to the Chief of the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Service.

Job Purpose

The Senior Rule of Law Officer supports the Chief of Service in developing mission-wide strategies and policy direction for rule of law activities. This role provides substantive guidance and advice to the Service and Mission leadership on justice, corrections, and legal reform, ensuring coordination and coherence in interventions. The officer leads the justice team, fostering synergies with human rights teams to strengthen the justice system, implement international standards, develop strategic plans, review legislation, and enhance institutional capacity. The position involves extensive engagement with national officials, civil society, and international partners, representing the Mission and liaising with UN headquarters.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include supporting the development of mission-wide rule of law strategies and policy direction. The role involves providing substantive guidance and advice on justice, corrections, and legal reform to ensure coordinated interventions. The Senior Rule of Law Officer leads the justice team, ensuring synergy with human rights efforts to strengthen the justice system, implement international standards, develop strategic plans, review legislation, and build capacity of justice and corrections institutions. This includes establishing and maintaining relationships with government officials and civil society, participating in coordination mechanisms, and liaising with UN headquarters. Programmatic and administrative tasks, such as budget preparation, performance reporting, staff recruitment, and performance management, are also integral.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive professional experience as a practicing lawyer, academic, prosecutor, judge, legal consultant, or international legal assistance advisor is required. This must include at least three years of technical assistance in justice, corrections, or rule of law reform in a transitional, developmental, or post-conflict setting outside the applicant's home country. Managerial and leadership experience, along with at least one year in a conflict/post-conflict environment and experience with international human rights standards, are also required. Programme management experience is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Planning & Organizing, Accountability, Leadership, Vision, In-depth understanding of legal and judicial systems, Expertise in international human rights standards, Strategic approach to justice system development, Gender equality commitment, Effective communication and listening, Goal setting and prioritization, Risk assessment and contingency planning, Time management, Ownership of responsibilities, Compliance with regulations, Subordinate oversight, Proactive strategy development, Conflict resolution, Driving change, Gender mainstreaming, Strategic issue identification, Linking strategy to goals, Inspiring others.

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