This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Legal Officer will be based in Kabul, an "E" hardship and a non-family duty station and is directly supervised by the Senior Legal Officer under the general guidance of the Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Section, Legal Affairs and /or more senior Legal Officer(s), as appropriate, the Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists in the preparation of or provide legal opinions and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the United Nations Mission’s mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law, and standards of conduct, as they affect the Mission or the mandate.

• In particular, provides or assists in the provision of advice on: the interpretation of the Mission’s mandate, the legal status of the Mission and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities; on legal aspects of the Mission’s operational activities, matters relating to international law, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law, as appropriate; on administrative, personnel and contractual matters, including issues relating to the accountability of personnel, procurement matters, third party claims, as well as legal questions involving the interpretation or application of UN regulations and rules.

• Prepares or assists in the preparation and review of draft agreements, institutional and operational modalities, contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and assists and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes.

• Participates at meetings and discussions with other Mission offices, other UN agencies funds and programmes, and with representatives from governments and other entities, as required.

• Participates in administrative Boards and Committees, including in relation to the procurement process, claims and property management, and on ad hoc working groups and task forces, as assigned by the supervisor.

• Conducts legal research and analysis using multiple research sources and prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions, studies, briefs, background papers, reports, and correspondence;

• Performs other duties, as assigned.

 Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of law as well as of the Charter of the United Nations, its objectives, provisions and privileges, and familiarity with UN Regulations and Rules, policies and practices; Ability to apply legal principles and understand Haiti’s domestic law. Ability to exercise sound judgement and handle confidential material with discretion, and analyse and research a range of complex legal issues within tight deadlines; 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.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law is required. A first-level university degree, 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 five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.

Experience with the United Nations, or a similar international organization's staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations is desirable.

Experience with the administrative law of the United Nations, including research and drafting submissions to the internal justice bodies, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.