Country: Thailand
Closing date: 30 Nov 2017
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Senior Legal Officer (Administration of Justice), P4, serves under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer (non-refugee matters), P5, who is the focal point within the Legal Affairs Service (LAS) to plan, coordinate and manage UNHC'S s (non-refugee law related) legal affairs, with emphasis on international public service law, interpretation and application of HR policies, and disputes primarily but not exclusively before the United Nations Dispute and Appeals Tribunal. However, the incumbent will function on a largely autonomous basis and may supervise any interns, consultants and junior staff. He/she provides senior level support on all matters relating to the UN internal justice system, including preparation of legal opinions and advice on requests for management evaluation, drafting legal pleadings and representing the Organization at oral hearings before international tribunals, including the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for representing the Organization in UNDT cases.
The incumbent is also responsible for providing expert advice on legal issues relating to investigations and disciplinary proceedings. He/she also liaises with the Office of Legal Affairs in the UN Secretariat on legal issues relating to cases before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) following an appeal of a UNDT judgment. The incumbent also provides substantive input regarding the drafting of legal opinions and policies on HR-related matters. As the only LAS lawyer in Bangkok, the incumbent may be requested to give advice on other non-refugee matters including contracts and the status, privileges and immunities of UNHCR and its personnel. In a particularly demanding environment, the incumbent, in addition to solid generalist legal background, will demonstrate expert written and oral advocacy skills acquired before judicial or arbitral courts or administrative tribunals. The Senior Legal Officer must have an in-depth knowledge of the jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute and Appeals Tribunals. The incumbent must also understand how the UN statutory framework functions.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Graduate degree (equivalent of Master's) in law preferably with emphasis in the area of international law. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS), in combination with the required work experience plus an additional one year of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Bar exam or equivalent qualification to practice law in at least one national jurisdiction.
Minimum 8 years (9 years for BA holders) of previous relevant work experience including at least five years of experience in the field of litigation. To fulfill this requirement, the incumbent must demonstrate experience not only in written but also oral advocacy acquired before judicial courts or arbitral and administrative tribunal.
In-depth knowledge and experience of international law, including, international administrative law as practiced in international organizations (in particular in the United Nations).
Thorough understanding of the UN system.
Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct legal research on a range of complex and intricate issues.
Excellent skills in drafting a broad range of documents of a legal nature, including legal opinions, pleadings, contracts and briefing notes.
Demonstrated ability to provide oral briefings on complex legal issues to legal and non-legal audiences.
Fluency in English (both oral and written).
In the absence of a sufficient number of applicants possessing all essential minimum qualifications and professional experience, individual requirements may be waived.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
Experience with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Prior exposure to, and demonstrated competence in, the conceptual development of strategic HR approaches and corporate HR policies.
Knowledge of the privileges and immunities of UN/HCR and its staff.
Knowledge of the principles of international commercial law and contract law as applied by the UN.
Knowledge of UN/HCR field operational realities.
Substantial experience (of at least four years) in dealing with issues related to the internal justice system of the United Nations, knowledge of the jurisprudence of the UNDT and UNAT as well as organizational regulatory frameworks and policies.
Fluency in French.
Solid computer skills, including good knowledge of databases.
How to apply:
Application
Interested applicants should submit their application online here: http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html.
To view all international vacancies please go to http://www.unhcr.org/careers.html.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 30 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time)
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.