Chief of Section, Legal Affairs
Organizational Context
The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) serves as the central legal service for the UN Secretariat, providing advice on public and private law, representing the Secretary-General, and managing legal organs. This role is situated within the Treaty Section of OLA, reporting directly to the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs.
Job Purpose
The Chief of the Treaty Section is responsible for formulating the Section's work program, managing its administration and resources, and overseeing staff performance. This includes supervising research and analysis on complex international law issues, providing legal advice on treaty law, and managing the depositary functions for multilateral treaties. The role also involves promoting wider participation in the multilateral treaty framework, overseeing treaty registration processes, responding to inquiries, and disseminating international law information. The Chief ensures high-quality outputs and contributes to the overall management strategies of the Office of Legal Affairs.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include formulating and prioritizing the Section's work program and allocating resources. The Chief will oversee the administration and management of the Section, including budget preparation, performance reporting, and staff evaluation. This involves managing task assignments, supervising research and analysis on complex treaty law issues, and providing legal advice. The role includes managing the Secretary-General's depositary functions for over 550 multilateral treaties, promoting treaty participation, and supervising the registration and filing of treaties. Additionally, the Chief will respond to inquiries, plan dissemination activities for international law, ensure high-quality outputs, supervise data processing and publications, and oversee capacity-building initiatives.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressive professional experience in public international law is required. Managerial experience within a multicultural international organization or government setting is also necessary. Experience in treaty law is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, communication, planning and organizing, leadership, and performance management are essential. Specific knowledge includes public international law, treaty law and practice, analytical skills, judgment, UN policies and operations, and modern computer technology including document management systems.