SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis temporary position is located in the Section on the Americas and Asia-Pacific, Assessment & Technical Assistance Office (ATAO), Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). It is available effective as soon as possible for nine months, with the possibility of extension. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Section. ResponsibilitiesFor this position, the Senior Legal Officer would: -Analyze the status of implementation by Member States of Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2617 (2021) and other relevant Security Council resolutions concerning the global fight against terrorism with respect to assigned Member States; -Under the guidance of the Section Chief, and on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED, conduct dialogue with a portfolio of Member States on all aspects of implementation of the relevant resolutions, providing information and resources to the Member States, where needed, and providing information to CTED and the CTC, where appropriate, on strategic and operational issues relating to the dialogue with Member States; -Organize, coordinate and participate in CTC visits to Member States to report on compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions and make recommendations on subsequent follow-up actions to be taken; -Prepare and draft reports on States evaluated and propose recommendations and solutions to the difficulties observed in complying with relevant Security Council resolutions; -Supervise the contributions of experts to assessment visits; -Liaise with relevant international and regional organizations on contributions to assessment visits to Member States; - Identify the legal and practical/operational implementation issues where evaluated States require technical assistance and work proactively with potential providers/donors to facilitate follow-up assistance; -Identify effective practices by States in implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and encourage States to share with other States in need; -Prepare analysis of country/regional specific new terrorism trends and challenges and recommend corresponding actions to address those issues; -Prepare assessments and recommendations on thematic issues covered by the relevant Security Council resolutions; -Prepare talking points and speeches for CTED senior management and other UN officials on counter-terrorism issues; - Clarify and disseminate international standards, codes and good practices to be applied by Member States; -Liaise with Member States, international and regional organizations as well as relevant UN bodies on any technical and other assistance programmes available that could facilitate implementation of relevant resolutions; -Assist in designing initiatives and activities to bring together senior practitioners on implementing various aspects of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2617 (2021) and other relevant Security Council resolutions; - Prepare regional and thematic presentations to the CTC and/or for the general membership; -Represent CTED, as requested, at international or regional conferences or meetings to which the Executive Director has been invited and represent CTED in coordinating meetings with local UN counter-terrorism entities; and -Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: -Knowledge of international law, legal procedures and counter-terrorism instruments, including criminal requirements, both substantive and procedural. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in bringing terrorists to justice, including by the prosecution of complex criminal cases; -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 and related documents; -Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex 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; -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; and -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; and -Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning & 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; and -Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary -Uses time efficiently. Leadership -Serves as a role model that other people want to follow -Empowers others to translate vision into results; -Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; -Establishes, maintains relationships with broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; -Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; -Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; -Shows the courage to take unpopular stands; -Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; -Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/ Decision-making - Identifies key issues in complex situations, 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 actions proposed will satisfy expressed and underlying needs for decision; -Makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, security, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, political science, international relations or other related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in law, national security, criminal justice, law enforcement or related area is required. Experience related to counter-terrorism is desirable. Experience of drafting official reports and assessments is desirable. Experience with Member States of South-East Asia is desirable. LanguagesFor the position advertised fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis temporary vacancy is available effective as soon as possible for nine months with the possibility of extension. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further \"stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…\" Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. • Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Subject to the funding source of the position, this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. • The expression \"Internal candidates\", shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. • Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. • For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. • The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. • Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations 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. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.