Job: Judicial Affairs Officer

Location: Brindisi, Italy 
Deadline: Wednesday, 25 September 2013 

Description

Job Title

JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, P3

Department/ Office

Department of Peacekeeping Operations

Duty Station

BRINDISI

Posting Period

10 September 2013-25 September 2013

Job Opening number

13-ROL-DPKO-30422-F-BRINDISI (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity (JCSC), based in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi. Upon authorization of the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, this capacity deploys to field missions on short notice to: (i) start-up rule of law and/or justice components in new United Nations field operations (including participating in pre-mission planning); (ii) reinforce existing United Nations field operations in providing assistance and support to national authorities in the area of justice, and (iii) undertake operation assessments and mapping of the national justice systems, as well as reviews of activities and programmes conducted by the justice components of peace operations.

Responsibilities

When working at the duty station (UNGSC), the incumbent will report to the Team Leader of the JCSC. When deployed to a peace mission, s/he will report, as per mission structure, to the Head of the Justice or Rule of Law component. When deployed at the request of United Nations programmes, agencies or funds or, of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections, s/he shall follow the respective reporting structures and be guided by the strategic and operational directives of the relevant agency, fund or programme.

In fulfilling the start-up function of the JCSC, the incumbent may be included in pre-mission planning and assessments, including participation in Technical Assessment Missions (TAM) and strategic and operational planning in the context of the Integrated Mission Planning Process (IMPP), and the Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF). In the start-up phase of a mission component, s/he shall assist in, inter alia, developing, and when appropriate, updating concepts of operations and other planning tools for United Nations rule of law components; providing technical advice in the justice area to mission leadership and national counterparts; mapping and assessing the country's justice sector; identifying profiles required in the justice area, recruiting national and international staff; and establishing early coordination mechanisms with counterparts, including national stakeholders, the UN Country Team, and other mission components, notably police, corrections, human rights, SSR, DDR, Gender, Political Affairs and Child Protection.

The incumbent may also be deployed to existing, evolving or downsizing peace operations facing staffing gaps or surge needs to provide targeted and time-limited advisory support to justice or rule of law components. In this case, s/he would work according to agreed terms of reference with the mission and be required to fulfil any justice related function required under the requesting mission's mandate.

Lastly, the incumbent may be requested to undertake operational assessments and mapping of the national justice system, as well as reviews of activities and programmes conducted by the missions' justice and corrections components. The purpose of these assessments and reviews is to assist the components in analysing their overall performance; determining risks and challenges in the implementation of their programmes; increasing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the components; and determining compliance with mandate implementation.

When not deployed to missions, the incumbent will participate in de-briefings on deployments, write after-action reviews, participate in training and other professional development activities, prepare for the next deployment and contribute to the development of lessons learned, best practices studies and training programmes.

Competencies

Professionalism - Extensive knowledge of judicial and legal system issues, including knowledge of criminal law and relevant international human rights standards and their relationship and linkages to the broader developmental/post-conflict recovery framework and initiatives; Knowledge of the United Nations system and respective mandates of key United Nations entities; Extensive knowledge of United Nations and DPKO policies and guidance materials related to the rule of law; Ability to stay calm in stressful situations; Ability to take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives, and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Knowledge or specialized expertise in Islamic Law is highly desirable.

Planning and organizing - Prioritises the delivery of work; sets goals and targets for her/himself; sets detailed project plans, or plans for an area or service; delivers one's own workload in an organized and time efficient manner.

Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise and 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 and shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, or bar qualification or equivalent, in addition to a first-level degree, is required. A first level university degree in law in combination with other relevant academic qualifications and/or legal experience in the field of rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant or advisor in the field of rule of law is required. At least one year of professional experience working in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant's country of nationality or, one year of professional experience working in an international governmental or non-governmental organization on strengthening judicial and legal systems is required. Extensive planning and training experience is required. Experience in legal drafting is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency, both oral and written in English is required. Fluency in oral Arabic or oral French is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

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