Legal Consultant, OED/Legal, New York /Remote no travel, 4 months, # 595418
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed to our mission, offering staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal growth, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally. We welcome all to join our diverse and passionate culture.
Job Purpose
The Legal Consultant will support UNICEF in regularizing its treaty records. This involves sourcing missing full texts of international agreements, determining if entry-into-force requirements have been met, and initiating registration with the United Nations Treaty Section (UNTS) where applicable. This role is crucial for maintaining UNICEF's institutional record of host country agreements, basic cooperation agreements, and related treaty instruments that govern its privileges, immunities, and operational presence worldwide. The consultancy directly contributes to ensuring transparency, preserving the official treaty record, and enabling agreements to be invoked before UN organs, aligning with Article 102 of the UN Charter.
Responsibilities
Source and obtain missing full texts of international agreements and treaty instruments relevant to UNICEF's operations. Assess the status of these agreements to determine if entry-into-force requirements have been satisfied. Initiate and manage the process of registering applicable agreements with the United Nations Treaty Section (UNTS), ensuring compliance with Article 102 of the UN Charter. Maintain and update the institutional record of UNICEF's host country agreements, basic cooperation agreements, exchanges of letters, and related treaty instruments. Collaborate with relevant UNICEF offices and external institutions to gather necessary documentation and information. Track the progress of registration processes and address any challenges or discrepancies encountered. Prepare reports on the status of treaty record regularization and UNTS submissions. Ensure accurate and organized management of legal records and documentation related to international agreements. Support the Legal Office in its review of treaty instruments requiring registration or full versions for UNICEF's records. Coordinate with multiple stakeholders across different jurisdictions and time zones to facilitate the collection and processing of information.
Work Experience
Minimum three years of experience in treaty practice, treaty registration, and/or legal records management.
Skills
Strong document review skills, Research and analytical skills, Experience maintaining trackers, databases, or records-management systems, Ability to assess documentary evidence and identify missing information, Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, Strong organizational skills, Attention to detail, Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Proficiency in document management tools