Principal Legal Officer (International Law), P5, Jerusalem at UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Org. Setting and Reporting UNRWA, 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 Principal Legal Officer (International Law) reports to the Director of Legal Affairs.

Responsibilities

Directly supports the Director of Legal Affairs in all aspects of work; assists the Director of Legal Affairs in leading the programme of work and management of the human and financial resources of the Department; and provides strategic and technical leadership for the Agency’s lawyers with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice;

Ensures the consistent interpretation and application of international law throughout the Agency; develops strategies to promote and implement relevant public international law, including international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and UN law, particularly: the status and mandate of the Agency, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel, and humanitarian principles;

Provides and supervises the provision of advice, training and outreach on the interpretation and application of relevant public international law, including international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and UN law, particularly: the status and mandate of the Agency, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel, and humanitarian principles;

Contributes to the Department’s client-oriented service delivery; provides and supervises the provision of legal input into the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy, in particular relating to Agency protection strategy and interventions;

Manages and supervises the implementation of the Agency’s engagement with the international human rights system, as well as its engagement with other UN Agencies and NGOs on protection issues;

Assists and provides advice on Agency-wide coordination, coherence and consistency in the implementation of humanitarian principles, including neutrality;

Establishes and maintains relations with representatives of host and other governments, the UN Office of Legal Affairs, UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNSCO and other entities with respect to issues of legal concern;

In collaboration with the Principal Legal Officer (General Law), and as required, develops strategies to promote and implement and provides advice and training on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including General Assembly resolutions, Staff and Financial Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, and organizational directives; and provides advice and training on matters relating to contract law, procurement, administrative and employment law, and tortious claims against the Agency, including overseeing, supporting and conducting negotiations, settlements and arbitration.

Competencies UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

Leading and Supervising Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Adapting and Responding to Change Formulating Strategies and Concepts Persuading and Influencing Resilience and multi-tasking; Ability to draft clearly and concisely.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un. org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in public international law.

Work Experience Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in public international law.

At least 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO, with a focus on public international law.

Three years of relevant professional work experience at a senior level.

a minimum of 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.

Knowledge of the history of contemporary problems in the Middle East (desirable)

Familiarity with UN Common System practices (desirable)

Working knowledge of Arabic and/or another official language (desirable)

Some specialization in contract law, commercial law, administrative law and/or employment law (desirable)

Languages Excellent command of spoken and written English.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with two 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 unacceptable combination. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. 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/