Legal Officer (Administrative Law)

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Legal Officer (Administrative Law) reports to Senior Legal Officer or Principal Legal Officer, as applicable in the general law unit. ResponsibilitiesAdvises on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, in particular with regards to administrative and governance framework, Staff Regulations and Rules, policies and administrative issuances in the context of potentially contentious matters. Provides timely legal advice to the organization and its management in an effort to utilize the informal internal justice system to its maximum benefit and reduce the number of cases submitted through the formal system in all aspects of international administrative law (including disciplinary matters). Where necessary, assists with alternative dispute resolution efforts, in coordination with the office of the Ombudsman and the Legal Office of Staff Legal Assistance as appropriate. Drafts and provides legal advice on responses to Decision Review Requests (i.e. requests for review of administrative decisions taken) within the internal justice system. Undertakes research into case law with a view to producing a compendium of precedents and statistics, in an effort to reduce the case backlog of administrative and disciplinary cases. Upon request, provides advice to managers on the proportionality and consistency of disciplinary measures across the Agency. Upon request, provides legal advice as part of proceedings before the formal internal system of justice. CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. i. Planning and Organizing ii. Analyzing iii. Relating and Networking iv. Adapting and Responding to Change v. Persuading and Influencing vi. Ability to negotiate effectively EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in international law, contract law, commercial law and/or administrative law. A first-level university degree together with admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction and an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least five years of progressively responsible relevant work experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, in government service, the commercial/private sector and/or NGO with demonstrated work on administrative law matters is required. Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in international law, contract law, commercial law and/or administrative law. Or A first-level university degree together with admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction and an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree is required Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required. Familiarity with the UN system and practices is desirable. Experience on public international law matters, alternative dispute resolution and/or litigation in internal UN tribunals is desirable. Admission to practice law in a national jurisdiction is desirable. Some specialization in international administrative law or employment law is desirable. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. LanguagesExcellent command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of another UN official language, particularly Arabic is an asset. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a UN Regular Budget post. type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension subject to availability of funds, need and performance. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. The incumbent will be required to travel, as needed, in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system Inspira will be considered, and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as perthe requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language Submissions will not be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post, when the need arises. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org United Nations ConsiderationsStaff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.