LEGAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe temporary position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), established pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolution 2793 (2025). The position is based in Port-au-Prince and is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (Head of UNSOH). The Legal Officer is the head of the Legal Affairs Unit and reports to the Head of UNSOH. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides legal advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting UNSOH’s mandate and activities, including public and international law and administrative law matters, as well as interpretation and application of relevant legal instruments. • Provides legal advice, and seeks legal guidance as appropriate from the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, on the interpretation of UNSOH’s mandate, the legal status of UNSOH and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and agreements concerning the status of UNSOH; advises on legal aspects of the UNSOH’s operational activities. • Advises 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. • Advises on, drafts and reviews agreements, institutional and operational modalities, contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and provides advice on and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes. • Liaises and participates in meetings and discussions with governments and other institutions and entities, UN agencies, funds and programmes, as well as other internal and external actors and organizations, as required. • Participates in various standing 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. • Coordinates and directs the work of the Legal Affairs Unit; supervises and provides guidance to more junior legal officers; assists the Head of UNSOH in the general management and administration of the Unit, organizing and prioritizing the workload and providing general coordination and supervision of assignments as regards the legal work. • Performs extensive legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence; represents the Unit at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. • Performs other duties, as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Thorough knowledge of, and experience in the practical application of international law, including the law of international organizations and the law and practice of the United Nations, including in the context of its field operations. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex legal issues and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, and a variety of legal instruments. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. Able to interpret, apply and adapt guidelines and to contribute to the development of policy guidelines, consistent with the established legal framework of the Organization. Shows pride in work and 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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. 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 impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law. A first level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required. Professional legal experience in an international organization or in governmental service dealing with matters of international law is required. Experience working as a legal officer in a field legal office of a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds and programmes) in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Professional legal experience in handling legal matters involving procedures and practices that apply in United Nations field operations in relation to contractual, procurement, and administrative matters, as well as agreements for logistical support and reimbursement for troops and contingent-owned equipment, is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).