UNOPS Legal Supervisor

Organizational Context

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for forcibly displaced people. UNHCR works in over 130 countries, assisting millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide legal support and guidance within UNHCR's operations. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that UNHCR's activities and operations are in compliance with international refugee law, human rights law, and relevant national legislation. This involves offering expert legal advice on a wide range of issues, including protection, asylum procedures, detention, statelessness, and durable solutions. The role is crucial in upholding the rights and protection of refugees and other persons of concern, contributing to the development and implementation of legal strategies, and ensuring that UNHCR's mandate is effectively fulfilled in complex operational environments. The Legal Supervisor will also play a key role in capacity building and training for staff and partners on legal matters.

Responsibilities

The Legal Supervisor will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice and support to UNHCR operations, ensuring compliance with international and national legal frameworks. This includes advising on protection issues, asylum processes, detention standards, and statelessness determination. The incumbent will review and draft legal documents, including policy recommendations, legal opinions, and agreements, ensuring they align with UNHCR's mandate and international best practices. They will also be involved in representing UNHCR in legal forums and engaging with national authorities, judicial bodies, and other stakeholders on legal matters. A key responsibility will be to monitor legal developments and trends relevant to refugees and displaced persons, and to contribute to the development and implementation of legal strategies and advocacy efforts. Furthermore, the Legal Supervisor will provide training and capacity building to UNHCR staff and implementing partners on refugee law and related legal issues, fostering a strong understanding and application of legal principles across operations. This role is vital in safeguarding the rights and protection of persons of concern and ensuring the integrity of UNHCR's legal work.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international refugee law, human rights law, or related fields is required. Experience in a humanitarian or international organization setting is desirable.

Skills

Legal research and analysis Drafting legal documents Advising on international refugee law Advising on human rights law Legal representation Stakeholder engagement Capacity building Training Policy development Compliance monitoring

Explore related opportunities