Legal Analyst

Background

The United Nations Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is the central operations Bureau in UNDP Headquarters that supports the organization in key management areas, including legal affairs. The Bureau provides operational/management infrastructure services and solutions for UNDP to achieve programme and development results, among other issues, ensuring policy adherence in operations management within UN Rules & Regulations and safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis United Nations Member States and other relevant partners.

The Office of Legal Services (OLS) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) and is the exclusive source of legal advice on operational matters to the Administrator and all UNDP business units. The legal services provided by BMS/OLS guide organizational priority-setting and decision-making within UNDP’s mission, as well as the overall framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

The Administrative Law Practice within BMS/OLS is responsible for:

Advising senior management in Headquarters, Regional Centers, Country Offices and of affiliated Funds and Programmes on legal issues arising in the handling of claims, allegations of misconduct or the resolution of matters involving UNDP staff members and UN Volunteers (UNV);

Representing the Organization in cases and settlements within the internal justice system, including the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT);

Assisting in the formulation and review of policies and procedures, and;

Addressing all legal questions arising in the administration and management of staff members and UNVs including privileges and immunities issues and strategies to respond to claims.

Under the overall supervision of the General Counsel and Director of the Office of Legal Services, Bureau for Management Services and reporting directly to the Senior Legal Adviser and Head of the Administrative Law Practice Group, the Legal Analyst provides legal support on a variety of issues in the Administrative Law practice area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Contributes to knowledge management with BMS/OLS counterparts by:

Ensuring the timely provision of responses to inquiries from counterparts in HQ, Bureaux and Country Offices;

Providing assistance in the provision of legal advice on UN Staff Regulations and Rules and management of staff;

Conducting research on legal issues and liaising with other offices as appropriate on best practices;

Drafting initial legal opinions on administrative law matters;

Assisting in liaising with UN OLA, HQ and Country Offices on matters pertaining to privileges and immunities.

Supports the legal representation of UNDP in formal cases by:
Assisting in the preparation of responses to appeals against administrative decisions;

Assisting in the preparation of cases concerning allegations of misconduct;

Conducting the initial review of reports for priority and documentation;

Acting in submissions, such as Replies, Briefs and Motions on behalf of UNDP to UN Tribunals, including representation of UNDP in Tribunal proceedings;

Contributing to the conduct of settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required;

Conducting researches on jurisprudence and identifies appropriate precedents;

Facilitating the provision of information and consideration of appeals before the UN Appeals Tribunal; and,

Supporting the minimization of liability and the timely resolution of disputes.

Assists in the review and implementation of policies and procedures on behalf of BMS/OLS by:

Liaising with other legal offices as appropriate on best practices;

Conducting researches on jurisprudence and identifies appropriate precedent;

Providing guidance in the identification of issues of liability and the preparation of responses on behalf of BMS/OLS;

Supporting the minimization of liability and the timely resolution of issues.

Acts in the handling of other administrative law matters and the functioning of the office:

Prepares cases for referral to national authorities;

Organizes and prepares for meetings with counterparts and other parties;

Contributes to the preparation of learning events, including online materials and legal training;

Supports the compilation of statistics and the reporting requirements of the office;

Identifies documentation for the preparation of Bundles for submission;

Oversees administration of internships;

Facilitates knowledge management and knowledge retention through the case management system and other means; and,

Performs other functions as required by the needs of the office and as requested by the LO Director or the Senior Legal Advisor.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work;

Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Models independent thinking and action

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

Legal (General)

Knowledge of legal issues facing the UNDP and ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations.

Legal Advisory

Ability to advise on legal matters including UNDP’s legal status, policy development, corporate and operational matters, status and conduct.

Legal Representation

Ability to legally represent the organization in corporate/institutional contracts and agreements as well as in administrative legal matters.

Quality Assurance

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled.

Strategic Sourcing

Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability toapply to strategic and/or practical solutions.

Research (General)

Knowledge of analytical tools, market research and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related to administrative legal issues.

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
An advanced degree in law (Master’s level/LLM) or equivalent;

Specialization in International Law and/or Administrative Law is an asset.

Passing of the bar examination of a Member State or its equivalent qualification to practice law in a Member State is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years’ 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 with the United Nations system legal framework, experience working with personnel/Administrative Law issues of United Nations organizations is desirable.

Familiarity with handling cases involving allegations of misconduct and appeals against administrative decisions is an asset.

Language Requirements: •

Fluency, in both English and French languages, is required;

Working knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders):

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

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