LEGAL OFFICER

Organizational Context

This Legal Officer position is within the Appeals Section of the Administrative Law Division, Office of Human Resources, Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the UN Secretariat in New York. The Division implements UN standards of conduct, provides legal advice on internal justice, represents the Secretary-General before the UN Dispute Tribunal, and manages disciplinary matters.

Job Purpose

The Legal Officer will handle appeals and a variety of international, public, national, and administrative law issues, interpreting and applying relevant laws in consultation with senior colleagues. Key responsibilities include conducting extensive legal research, preparing legal opinions, studies, and correspondence. The role involves reviewing legal documents, drafting background papers and legislative texts, and preparing legal submissions for investigations and prosecutions. The incumbent will assess evidence, service diplomatic conferences and committees, represent the Organization before tribunals, and provide legal advice on human resources and administrative matters, while also guiding junior staff.

Responsibilities

Handle appeals and diverse legal issues related to international, public, national, and administrative law, including interpretation and application. Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis to prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence. Review legal documents, instruments, and materials to identify key issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. Draft background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts, and teaching materials. Prepare legal submissions and motions for investigations and prosecutions. Assess evidence for relevance and admissibility, and prepare briefs of evidence. Support senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, and expert groups. Represent or assist in representing the Organization before arbitral tribunals and administrative proceedings. Provide legal advice on human resources and administrative matters. Guide and mentor junior staff.

Work Experience

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

Skills

Legal principles and procedures, legal research and analysis, interpretation and application of legislative instruments, drafting legal documents, litigation, evidence assessment, human resources law, administrative law, communication, planning, and organization.

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