Legal Assistant

Organizational Context

This position is within the International Trade Law Division (ITLD) of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) in Vienna, serving as the secretariat for the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The Legal Assistant reports to a Senior Legal Officer and the Director of ITLD.

Job Purpose

The Legal Assistant supports the coordination, planning, and preparation of ITLD's non-legislative activities, contributing to the work of UNCITRAL. This involves conducting basic research in international trade law, managing databases, and drafting/editing legal documents. The role also supports the organization of seminars and meetings, handles inquiries, maintains internal procedures, updates the UNCITRAL website, and assists with data analysis and presentations. The position plays a crucial administrative and research support role within the division.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include supporting the coordination and planning of non-legislative activities, conducting basic research on international trade law, and managing databases for data extraction, analysis, and presentation. The role involves drafting, editing, and proofreading legal documents, instruments, publications, and correspondence. Additionally, the Legal Assistant will support the organization of seminars and meetings, assist with project proposals and budget documentation, and handle inquiries from internal and external parties. Developing and maintaining internal procedures, updating the UNCITRAL website, and providing guidance to junior staff are also core duties. The position further involves assisting with data collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and visualizations.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in paralegal work, program support, administration, or project administration is required. This is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree. Experience in drafting/editing official documents, managing databases, organizing events, and conducting research is essential. Experience with website content management, data visualization, UN administrative rules, or ERP systems is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, research using diverse legal sources, information management, data analysis and interpretation, planning and organizing, and effective communication (written and verbal).

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