SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), duty station Bangui. The incumbent will report to the Special Representative of the Secretary -General through the Mission Chief of Staff. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Mission Chief of Staff, and within delegated authority, the Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Supports the supervisor in the implementation of the work programme of the Section and provides legal expertise and advice on a wide range of complex legal issues affecting the United Nations Mission's mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law as they affect the Mission or the mandate. In particular, provides or supports the Mission Leadership in the provision of legal advice and expertise on the interpretation of the Mission's mandate, the legal status of the Mission and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Status of Forces/Status of Mission Agreements; advise on aspects of the Mission's operational activities, including the Mission's rules of engagement and directives on the use of force and related guidelines, matters relating to international law, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law and the protection of civilians, as appropriate; advises and supports the Head or Mission and the Mission Leadership in the provision of advice on administrative, personnel and contractual matters related to the Mission's activities, 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. • Drafts and reviews agreements, institutional and operational modalities, major contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and provides advice on and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes. Briefings with senior mission officials and facilitating the daily work of journalists covering the mission; facilitating media visits to the mission area; responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the mission's leadership; conceptualize and implement timely communication strategies in reaction to crisis situations. • Assists and supports the supervisor in establishing and maintaining good working relations with government officials (ministries, authorities and agencies) and other entities on legal matters related to the implementation of the Mission's mandate, including the implementation of agreements and other arrangements with the host, or with other governments; liaises and participates in meetings and discussions with governments and other institutions and entities; liaises with other UN agencies, funds and programmes, as well as other internal and external actors and organizations, as required. • Participates in administrative 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. • Assists and supports the supervisor in the management and administration of the unit, including organizing and prioritizing workload and managing, supervising and guiding more junior legal officers. • 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 Service at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. • Performs other duties, as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Ability to provide effective legal advice to the SRSG and other senior UN officials of the Mission. Contributes to the attainment of quality standards regarding all legal work within the Mission through the provision of advice, and reporting and coordinating/consulting with other units of the Mission. 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. 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 the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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 decisions, 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; 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required. Experience working as Senior Legal Officer or in a similar role in a peacekeeping operation or a comparable international organization is required. Experience providing Legal services in a conflict and/or post conflict environment is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, either English or French is required. 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).