LEGAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Focal Point for Delisting, a Special Political Mission administered and supported by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The incumbent will work under the substantive direction and guidance of the Focal Point for Delisting appointed pursuant to Security Council resolution 2744 (2024). The Legal Officer will report to the Chief of the Subsidiary Organs Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division while providing support to the Office of the Focal Point for Delisting. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the Chief of the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch, the incumbent will work under the substantive direction and guidance of the Focal Point for Delisting in fulfilling the task set out in the annex I of resolution 2744 (2024). The major responsibilities for this position will include, but are not limited to: · Assists with the drafting of factual and legal portions of the Comprehensive Reports of the Focal Point to the Security Council’s Sanctions Committees. · Undertakes basic reviews of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. · Assists in the preparation of interviews with petitioners for delisting and character witnesses, including drafting interview questions and supporting the Focal Point during such interviews, taking notes of meetings and drafting meeting summaries, and preparing legal documents as necessary in the course of information-gathering. · Ensures continuous flow of information between the Focal Point for Delisting, petitioners and/or their legal representatives throughout the delisting review process. · Assesses evidence for relevance and admissibility and prepares and assesses briefs of evidence. · Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to criminal investigations and prosecutions, etc. · Conducts legal and open-source research, collects, summarizes, and analyses relevant material. · Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports and correspondence. · Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on relevant issues of international public law, including related to the Security Council. · Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. · Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the Security Council. Knowledge of the procedures of the Focal Point for Delisting as set out in resolution 1730 (2006), renewed and strengthened in subsequent resolutions, including, most recently, resolution 2744 (2024). Knowledge of legal challenges to targeted Security Council sanctions, and of the steps taken by the Security Council to ensure its procedures for adding and removing individuals to/from sanctions lists are fair and clear. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature. Ability to interview witnesses and make substantial legal arguments. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Ability to appropriately handle confidential and strictly confidential information. Ability to draft and structure complex documents and to express fact summaries and concepts accurately and succinctly. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Experience in drafting legal opinions, decisions or judgments is required. Experience working on United Nations sanctions is desirable Experience in interacting with high-level officials and stakeholders, including government representatives, international organizations, and senior management, is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeStaff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Applicants who have reached the mandatory age of separation are not eligible to apply for job openings. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.