Job: Legal Officer

Location: Pristina, Kosovo
Deadline: Friday, 02 August 2013 

Description

Posting Period: 18 July 2013-2 August 2013

Job Opening number: 13-LEG-UNMIK-29209-F-PRISTINA (M) United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The Legal Officer will be based in Pristina. The Legal Officer will report to the Chief Legal Officer/Head of the Legal Affairs Office and the Senior Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Legal Officer and within limits of delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Handle matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations, seeking guidance on complex issues from the Senior Legal Officer and/or the Chief Legal Officer as applicable. Prepare legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacekeeping and other operational matters, separately-administered programs and funds, etc.
• Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence.
• Review, advise on and draft contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities and other legal documents; as necessary, develop new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances. Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes.
• Represent the organization in judicial, arbitral or administrative proceedings.
• Serve on various standing boards and committees as required.
• Provide guidance to, and may supervise, junior staff.
• Performs 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 court submissions.
• Ability to 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 the audience.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing.
• Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognised by the United Nations.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This 'Recruit from Roster' job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

No Fee

THE 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.

More Info and Application