Legal Specialist Vacancy Type Internal candidates only
Organizational Context
The Legal Group (LG) at UNOPS provides comprehensive legal advice on institutional, commercial, and administrative law matters to management and various offices. Its scope includes public international law, dispute resolution, commercial law, and administrative law, covering areas like agreements, disputes, HR law, and procurement contracts, often collaborating with external counsel.
Job Purpose
The Legal Specialist, Commercial, serves as an independent in-house legal expert, providing authoritative advice on commercial law policies and procedures within UNOPS. This role involves adapting established frameworks to meet evolving client and project needs, solving complex legal issues, and managing a dedicated portfolio of commercial legal work. By maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring reliable service delivery, the specialist plays a crucial role in safeguarding UNOPS against legal, financial, and reputational risks, contributing directly to the organization's operational integrity and success.
Responsibilities
The Legal Specialist will provide expert legal advice and representation on commercial matters, including reviewing and negotiating agreements, interpreting legal frameworks, and supporting project offices with partnership, funding, procurement, and grant agreements. This includes advising on hosted initiatives and multi-donor trust funds, offering timely solutions to implementation challenges, and representing UNOPS in external negotiations. The role also involves policy development and implementation support, recommending improvements to processes and standards, and contributing to cross-functional initiatives to ensure legal frameworks are practical and add value. Furthermore, the specialist will engage in knowledge management and capacity building by documenting precedents, conducting research, sharing expertise, and delivering training on commercial matters.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience is required, focusing on commercial law, international law, public international law, or commercial dispute resolution, encompassing legal analysis, advice, research, and drafting. Proficiency in legal drafting and communicating complex legal concepts to diverse audiences is essential. Experience as legal counsel in a law firm or international organization is desirable.
Skills
Analytical Skills, Corporate Law, Legal Advice, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Negotiation, Risk Management