Legal Officer
Organizational Context
The Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), within the Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ), provides legal assistance to staff members in the UN's internal justice system. This role, located in Nairobi, Kenya, reports to the Chief of OSLA and supports administrative, disciplinary, and appellate proceedings before the UN Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal.
Job Purpose
The Legal Officer serves as a lead in complex legal matters, providing expert advice on diverse substantive and procedural issues related to staff conditions of service, administrative decisions, and disciplinary actions. The role involves extensive legal research, drafting opinions, briefs, and correspondence, and representing staff members before various UN tribunals and recourse mechanisms. This position contributes to the effective functioning of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance by ensuring staff receive comprehensive legal support and by developing innovative legal solutions to complex challenges within the UN's internal justice system.
Responsibilities
Serve as a lead officer handling complex multi-discipline legal matters, including international, public, private, and administrative law. Provide legal advice on intricate procedural and substantive questions, such as challenges to administrative decisions and disciplinary matters. Conduct extensive legal research and analysis, preparing legal opinions, studies, briefs, and reports for the Office and eligible clients. Draft complex agreements, legal documents, and submissions for administrative and disciplinary processes. Advise on and participate in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes. Represent clients before the UN Dispute Tribunal, Appeals Tribunal, and other recourse mechanisms. Coordinate and mentor junior legal officers, and contribute to the design of new legal instruments and policies. Analyze data to identify trends and support data-driven decision-making.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of legal experience, including analysis, research, and writing, is required. Three years of litigation experience at the national or international level, with direct experience presenting evidence before a court or tribunal, is also required. Experience within the UN system or a similar international organization is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, strong analytical and research skills, legal writing and drafting, litigation, negotiation, client orientation, planning and organizing, judgment and decision-making, knowledge of international legal procedures and UN system.