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Legal Advisor - Commercial Law

Multiple locations

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Multiple locations
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • Sustainable Business Development
  • Closing Date: 2025-01-27

Job categories Legal
Vacancy code VA/2025/B0040/29498
Level ICS-11
Department/office CRP, LG, Legal Group
Duty station Multiple
Contract type Fixed Term
Contract level P4
Duration One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
Application period 06-Jan-2025 to 27-Jan-2025
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results expected: 

1. Legal Advice and Representation 

2. Business Efficiency 

3. Team Management 

4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

1. Legal Advice and Representation 

  • Advise on commercial matters under LG’s purview, including review and negotiation of legal agreements, interpretation and development of the UNOPS legal framework. • Lead a team of commercial lawyers to undertake reviews and provide advice to country offices on new projects (engagements) and amendments concerning project viability, risk exposure, legal arrangements and controls. 

  • Provide legal advice and support in relation to partnership and framework or funding agreements, negotiation of model agreements with partners, procurement contract templates and grant agreements. 

  • Provide legal advice and support in relation to hosted initiatives, joint programmes and multi-donor trust funds. 

  • Provide timely advice and support actively finding solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. 

  • Represent UNOPS in meetings and negotiations with external parties on legal topics, such as negotiations on contracts and agreements. 

  • Oversee and/or coordinate interactions between business units and local legal retainers, external legal counsel and legal advisors from OLA or other UN agencies. 

2. Business Efficiency 

  • Recommend changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the country offices. 

  • Ensure transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs. 

  • Work closely with other units within UNOPS to address mission-critical issues and find fit-for-purpose solutions and contribute with technical and practical knowledge to the development of strategies to improve efficiency and strengthen internal controls. 

  • Contribute to cross-functional initiatives to ensure that internal policies, procedures, systems and tools are consistent with the overall legal framework, practical, relevant and add value to organizational operations.

3. Team Management 

  • Motivate a team of commercial lawyers to continuously take ownership, innovate and learn by fostering a trusting and supporting work environment. 

  • Assign tasks related to commercial work to lawyers under supervision. 

  • Promote teamwork and collaboration within the team of commercial lawyers by providing clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. 

  • Provide legal mentorship, coaching, and training to junior legal advisors.

4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building 

  • Coordinate the systematic documentation and updating of legal precedents and templates under their areas of expertise. 

  • Contribute to research and coordination within the team and across the organization. 

  • Provide structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices. 

  • Keep abreast of internal and external developments and best practices. 

  • Provide training on commercial matters to internal colleagues.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law is required. 

  • A first-level university degree in law (Bachelor’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. 

  • Satisfaction of all requirements to practice law in a national jurisdiction of a UN Member State is required.


Experience

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of professional legal experience is required. 

  • Within the seven (7) years of professional experience, at least three (3) years of commercial law experience is required, preferably as legal counsel in a law firm or international organization; and at least one (1) year supervising and leading a team is required. 

  • Experience in providing legal advice in a government agency or international organization setting is desirable. 

  • Proficiency in legal drafting and the ability to draft accurately, clearly, and concisely within tight deadlines is required.

  • Experience in communicating complex legal concepts across a range of audiences is required.


Language requirements

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required. 

  • Working knowledge of French is desirable but not mandatory.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.