Legal Officer
Organizational Context
This Legal Officer position is within the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) at the UN Secretariat. The role reports to the Director of the Codification Division or senior legal officers. While based in New York, the selected candidate is expected to attend a conference in Bangkok.
Job Purpose
The Legal Officer will support the work of the President of the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters and its subsidiary bodies. Key responsibilities include preparing various conference documents, summaries, and research projects on international law. The role involves liaising with delegations, attending meetings to brief senior officials, and conducting extensive legal research and analysis. The Legal Officer will review legal documents, identify issues, and provide guidance to junior staff, contributing to the progressive development and codification of international law. This role requires strong analytical, drafting, and interpersonal skills to facilitate complex international legal proceedings and negotiations.
Responsibilities
Assist the President and subsidiary bodies of the UN Conference on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, including committees and expert groups. Prepare diverse documents such as conference room papers, non-papers, and working papers. Draft summaries of positions, background notes, oral statements, and interim progress reports. Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis on international agreements, alternative approaches, and drafting history. Liaise with delegations on textual proposals, working within small groups and addressing translation matters. Attend informal and small delegation meetings to brief senior officials. Perform technical tasks supporting the Conference Presidency and other bodies. Review legal documents, instruments, and materials to identify key issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. Provide guidance to junior staff and perform other assigned duties.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive legal experience, including analysis, research, and writing, is required. Experience in public international law at the international level is essential. Experience with UN conference procedures and drafting international law background papers is desirable.
Skills
Legal principles, concepts, procedures, and terminology; Legal research and analysis; Interpretation and application of legislative instruments; Drafting legal papers; Legal judgment; Professionalism; Teamwork; Planning and Organizing; Data analysis and interpretation.