Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOB
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-06-17
Deadline for ApplicationsJune 17, 2025
Standard Job Description
Associate Legal Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Legal Officer is a member of the protection or legal team either at Headquarters (within the Division of International Protection or in a Regional Bureau), or in a Country or Sub-Office. He/she may report to the (Senior) Protection or (Senior) Legal Officer, Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection or legal staff who may include community services, registration, resettlement and education.
The Associate Legal Officer is relied upon by the Office to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (POC). Another important function of the position is to ensure that POC are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, authorities, protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Monitor the development of law and doctrine.
- Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
- Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
- Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
- Provide inputs to the formulation of protection strategies.
- Liaise with DIP, Division and Bureau work units and external actors to enhance awareness of protection principles.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
- Assist in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Law; Refugee Law; Human Rights Law;
International Humanitarian Law; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills.
Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection would be an asset or any other equivalent external courses.
Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
LE-Legal Research
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Contribute to the work of the Protection Unit in line with its work plan and the protection strategy for the Office. Work in collaboration with other UNHCR Canada units, other UNHCR operations, Bureaux and HQ as required.
Remain abreast of current domestic legal issues and policies impacting persons of concern. Assist in the preparation of legal advice, position papers, guidance and updates on legal and operational issues relating to refugees and refugee claimants in Canada consistent with UNHCR policies and international standards.
Maintain productive working relations with Government authorities, and advocate for asylum policies and measures that accord with international standards.
Collaborate closely with stakeholders such as the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on priorities such as refugee status determination, the asylum system, and detention.
Liaise with relevant members of civil society, including lawyers, academics, and NGOs to further UNHCR's outreach and partnerships relating to the protection of refugees in Canada.
Assist in analysis of data related to the asylum system and refugee status determination.
Assess individual cases as required, for possible UNHCR intervention.
Perform other duties as required depending on the needs of the team. This could include but is not limited to assisting in capacity building initiatives for the Americas region and strategic litigation.
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language; knowledge of Spanish and/or French are a strong asset.
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS), with focus on human rights, refugee law and/or international humanitarian law plus minimum at least 3 years of related professional experience. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Masterโs) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills.
Excellent knowledge of English.
Knowledge and experience in Canadian refugee law are strongly desired.
Previous experience working in the field of refugee protection internationally is an asset.
Experience working in or knowledge of the current context in refugee status determination and refugee population movements from Latin America are an asset.
Required Competencies:
Managerial Competencies
Judgement and Decision Making
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Strong Interpersonal, Teamwork and Negotiation Skills
Eligibility:
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada when applying. To be eligible to work in Canada, applicants must have one of the following legal status: Canadian citizen or a (valid) Permanent Resident of Canada or valid work permit in Canada under Immigration & Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Closing date: 17 June 2025 at 12am GENEVA Time.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and competency based interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Canada is a G7 country with a stable government and high standard of living. It is a family duty station and has good access to housing, healthcare and education. It does not require vaccines and does not have any travel advisory issues.
Nature of Position:
Canada is an advocacy operation with an office in the national capital, Ottawa. Our main interlocutor is the federal government with whom we work closely to increase the protection environment and solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers. The Canada operation works closely with the Americas Regional Bureau and Headquarters on key areas of work including strategic litigation and asylum reform initiatives. The Associate Legal Officer is a member of the Protection Unit and reports to the Senior Legal Officer. Under the overall direction of the Protection Unit, and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, the Associate Legal Officer works directly with various levels of government and civil society stakeholders to improve the asylum system in Canada and asylum capacity in the Americas region. The incumbent will promote protection principles and international law as relevant to persons of concern is undertaken. Legal and policy analysis is conducted, and advice and guidance are provided in line with protection standards and with UNHCRโs global, regional and country level priorities.
Living and Working Conditions:
Ottawa is the capital city of the country and is the main seat of the federal government. Canada does not have any security concerns has an excellent health care system/facilities and public transportation is easily available.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsLegal Procedures, LE-Legal Research, PR-Analysis of laws and practice relevant to the immigration detention and ATD, PR-Data Protection Policy
EducationBachelor of Arts: Law
CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR
Work ExperienceLegal, Protection
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Teamwork & collaboration
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Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance