Legal Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Registry is part of the independent Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) and supports the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) at the UNDT seat in Geneva. The incumbent will report to the Registrar in Geneva as the First Reporting Officer and the Principal Registrar as the Second Reporting Officer. The UNDT is the first instance tribunal of the internal justice system and hears and decides cases filed by or on behalf of current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions. The UNDT conducts hearings, issues orders, and renders binding judgments. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority and in the framework of the Registries, the Legal Officer, through the performance of the following duties, will be responsible for a) providing substantive, technical and administrative support for the adjudication of cases by UNDT Judges and b) undertaking work/assignments as mandated by OAJ: • Review submissions to the UNDT; • Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence; • Support Judges by preparing background materials and summaries of issues, as required; • Attend meetings, and give advice on emerging issues and questions, as required; • Identify issues, draft legal texts and handle a wide range of complex legal matters involving interpretation and application of administrative/employment law; • Conduct extensive legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence; • Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions; • Assist in the preparation of referrals to the Mediation Division of the Office of the Ombudsman; • Support the Judges in producing accurate, comprehensive judgments, including review of draft judgments for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies, and ensuring editorial uniformity prior to dissemination. Respond to correspondence/queries from the parties; • Assist in maintaining the registers of the UNDT (electronic and paper), the publication and dissemination of the decisions, rulings and judgments rendered by the UNDT, in the required official languages, through the agreed media; • Assist in maintaining the case law digest and jurisprudence databank of OAJ; • Perform other duties as required. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. 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. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in international 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 Experience• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. • At least one year of experience working as a lawyer in administrative or employment/labor law preferably in an international organization or tribunal is required. • Experience as a judicial/legal clerk, legal officer or legal professional in a related field is desirable. • Experience in litigation in an international or domestic judicial system is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) or Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).