Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the secretariat of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Reporting to the Executive Secretary, the Legal Officer maintains close contact with stakeholders and partners and directs legal policies in the areas under his/her responsibility, to ensure that they are relevant to the needs of the Commission, common system organizations and Member States, and ensures that the legal work assigned to him/her is carried forward in an expeditious and professional manner.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provides legal advice to the Executive Secretary and other staff in the ICSC Secretariat on a wide range of legal matters related to the mandate of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative, and other instruments governing the ICSC’s functioning, procedures, and methodologies;
- Supports legal officers in the common system organizations in litigation related to the implementation of ICSC decisions or recommendations;
- Prepares legal opinions/advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support and interactions with the General Assembly and participating organizations of the United Nations common system;
- Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence.
- Undertakes review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc.;
- Handles and assists in the provision of legal advice on a wide range of issues relating to the work of the ICSC, including relevant agreements and other collaborative arrangements with international organizations, members of the United Nations system and external actors, administrative and management issues;
- Drafts and reviews complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities and other legal documents and participates in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes;
- Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of financial and staff regulations and rules, including the review of administrative decisions and the drafting of administrative issuances;
- Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the ICSC at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Knowledge of public international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the law of international organizations. Familiarity with the institutions and organization of the UN system;
- Analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research on a range of relatively complex and intricate issues;
- Proficiency in legal drafting and ability to draft clearly and well under time pressure;
- Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given;
- Negotiating skills;
- Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
- Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
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.
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 his/her own position.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in public international law is required. A first-level university degree in public international law in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required;
- Professional legal experience advising on issues of public international law relating to international organizations and on questions of international civil service is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, excellent written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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