Legal Analyst

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV works with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated, and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is represented worldwide. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Office of Legal Services (OLS) is part of the UNDP Bureau for Management Services (BMS). The BMS/OLS ensures that UNDP and UNV perform their mandates on a firm legal basis in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the regulations approved by the Executive Board and the rules and policies promulgated by or under the authority of the Administrator. The BMS/OLS also enables effective programme delivery by helping provide integrated management solutions for UNDP offices, including identifying legal risks and suggesting measures for their mitigation. In addition, the BMS/OLS protects the legal interests of UNDP and UNV by defending them in legal actions. UNDP’s Chief Legal Officer is the Director of the BMS/OLS, which is comprised of two Practice areas, the Administrative Law Practice, and the Corporate and Institutional Law Practice.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Legal Advisors, Administrative Law and Corporate and Institutional Law, the UNV Legal Specialist, located at UNV Bonn, supports BMS/OLS in providing legal advice and support to UNV on a broad range of issues related to regulations and policies applicable to UN Volunteers and corporate and institutional legal matters. Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Administrative Law Practice and reporting to the UNV Legal Specialist, the IPSA Legal Analyst will provide support to ongoing review of Administrative Law matters including advising senior management in UNV HQ, Regional Offices and field units on legal issues of the status and conduct, the formulation of policies and procedures, and the resolution of claims, with respect UN Volunteers.

Scope of Work

• Contribute in the review of investigation reports and coordinating with the UNV Advisory Panel on Disciplinary Measures Committee (APDMC) concerning disciplinary cases;
• Contribute in the review of and preparation of responses to appeals to the UNV Executive Coordinator and Requests for Administrative Review submitted by UN Volunteers;
• Contribute in the provision of legal advice on the application, interpretation, and revision of the UNV Conditions of Service and other relevant policies;
• Contribute in the provision of advice on queries concerning a range of personnel matters concerning the status, benefits and entitlements of UN Volunteers.
• Support in the handling of formal appeals of staff members and cases concerning allegations of misconduct against staff, including litigation before the UN Tribunals
• Perform other related functions as requested by the UNV Legal Specialist. 
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The IPSA Legal Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the UNV Legal Specialist and may work with other lawyers in the Administrative Law Practice Group or BMS/OLS as required.

Competencies

• Core Competencies:

Getting results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Innovative thinking: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Continuous learning: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapting with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Acting with determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Commitment and partnership: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Promoting diversity and inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

• Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development-Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management-Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Legal -Legal analysis skills: The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts in order to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization's best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework.

Legal -Legal research: The ability to identify and retrieve information to support legal positions and corporate decision making from all relevant sources. In the UNDP context, this skill includes, amongst other things, proactive seeking of information in anticipation of the different angles that any given issue may present.

Legal -Legal writing skills: The ability to analyse fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Law, LL.M. or equivalent is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in above mentioned areas in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the practice of Public International Law with a law firm, a government and/or an international organization’s legal office is required
• Experience in receiving, analyzing, and addressing legal queries from diverse clients or stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate advice tailored to their needs is desirable.
• Proven experience in providing clear, concise, and actionable legal guidance on complex matters, including the interpretation of  legal frameworks, policies, or procedures is desirable. 
• Proven track record of knowledge of applicable legal framework and understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general desirable.
• Experience with the United Nations system legal framework, experience working with personnel/Administrative Law issues of United Nations Organization desirable.
• Familiarity with handling cases involving allegations of misconduct and appeals against administrative decisions highly desirable.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working knowledge of Spanish is strongly desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.