LEGAL ASSISTANT (Personal Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General)

Organizational Context

This position is situated within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs (OUSG) in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) of the UN Secretariat. The role serves as the Personal Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, providing direct support within this high-level office.

Job Purpose

The Legal Assistant provides essential personal and administrative support to the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs. This includes managing the Under-Secretary-General's schedule, coordinating travel, handling correspondence, and organizing high-level meetings and events. The role involves conducting basic research, maintaining confidential records, and acting as a primary point of contact for inquiries. Additionally, the Legal Assistant supports the Chief of Office and the Head of Evaluation & Strategic Planning Unit, assisting with meeting preparation, administrative tasks, and overseeing office support staff to ensure efficient operations within the OLA.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive personal assistance to the Under-Secretary-General, including calendar management, appointment scheduling, and travel coordination. Manage and prioritize incoming correspondence and requests, liaising with senior officials and organizing high-level meetings and events. Conduct basic research using OLA Registry and Epona, and maintain confidential files and sensitive legal reference materials. Handle complex inquiries from internal and external parties regarding legal processes and procedures. Assist in servicing committees and meetings by preparing documents, tracking status, and coordinating follow-up actions. Organize logistical aspects for various legal network meetings and ceremonies. Maintain databases, generate reports, and provide general office support, including drafting and proofreading legal documentation. Offer administrative and substantive support to the Chief of Office and Head of Evaluation & Strategic Planning Unit, assist in meeting preparation, and supervise office support staff.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in legal proceedings support, conference servicing, or general office support is required. This is reduced to five years with a university degree. Experience in a legal or judicial environment, a Front Office setting, handling confidential information, and data analytics is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, knowledge of legal framework and terminology, research skills, information management, discretion, efficiency, gender equality commitment, collaboration, goal setting, time management.

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