SENIOR LEGAL ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs. The incumbent will report to the Head of the Registration Unit. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Head of the Registration Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for independently carrying out the following functions: Paralegal, editorial and administrative duties relating the discharge of the registration functions under Article 102 of the Charter and the General Assembly regulations to give effect to Article 102, which include: Analyze and process treaty submissions and other legal documentation for conformity with applicable registration regulations and the practice. Verify legal requirements, precedents, and issues to be addressed regarding submissions for registration of treaties and treaty actions. Conduct paralegal research on assigned issues, using existing legal files and alternative sources, such as computer-assisted searches using the Treaty Section Information and Publication System (TIPS), internet, intranet or other databases, for the provision of legal advice by senior officers. Provide expert paralegal support to Permanent Missions, intergovernmental organizations and other entities on issues arising in the performance of the registration functions. Handle requests from Member States and intergovernmental organizations and other entities regarding submissions for the registration of treaties with the Secretariat. Independently conduct research to respond to queries, including generating reports and producing documentation, and ensure the accuracy and precision of the information provided to Permanent Missions, other governmental authorities, intergovernmental organizations, etc. Provide general office support services to the Section by drafting, editing, proofreading and finalizing for signature/approval of senior officers a variety of correspondence and other communications, and specialized legal documentation. Monitor requisite follow-up actions and approvals. Draft, edit and conduct final check for accuracy of a variety of specialized documentation, legal publications, and related correspondence, including registration certificates and check lists. Maintenance of a body of legal reference files, both paper and electronic (TIPS), to ensure rapid retrieval of critical information and proper archiving, which includes: Review material and determine appropriate file classification category. Oversees the identification of material for inclusion in files and the coordination with Archives on retirement, storage, and retrieval of files. Oversees the input of information on treaties and treaty actions in TIPS. Develop initiatives to enhance existing systems for electronic records management and retrieval, including development of proposals for consideration. Maintains internal databases (TIPS) for tracking and trend analysis. Independently generate a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases. Provides guidance and training to less experienced staff on the use of TIPS. Competencies• Professionalism: Applies knowledge and/or standards applicable to the specialized field of international treaty law and practice. Demonstrates thorough understanding of the multilateral treaty framework. Demonstrates excellent technological aptitudes. Exercises diplomatic skills at the highest level. Takes a high degree of initiative in the daily work, showing quick and sound judgment, accuracy and the ability to handle extremely sensitive matters. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. 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 & 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of experience in paralegal and research work or related area is required Experience in the legal field is required. Working experience with treaties is desirable. Experience in administrative and general office support in an international organization, involving wide contact with the international community is desirable. Experience with legal issues arising in the context of international organizations, particularly in the area of treaty law and practice is desirable. Experience with document management systems (e.g., Documentum) and proficiency in standard office software applications (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access) is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. 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.