Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. In our Strategic Plan, UNDP commits to work with countries to make a difference to millions of lives – including by promoting over $1 trillion of public expenditure and private capital investment in the Sustainable Development Goals. One of the key enablers to maximise development impact is partnering with governments and the private sector to align public and private capital flows with the SDGs and mobilise finance at scale.

UNDP personnel are united for a common purpose: to help countries and communities across the world pursue peaceful, prosperous lives, lived in harmony with the planet. The Office of Legal Services in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS/OLS) provides strategic legal services of the highest standard to UNDP, UNCDF and UN Volunteers, giving pragmatic and timely legal advice that enables the right people to make good decisions.

BMS/OLS is seeking outstanding, proactive lawyers with a strong public service background and the capacity and commitment needed to deliver transformative impact. We are seeking colleagues who challenge, inspire, and deliver sustained results.

Job Purpose

The Legal Analyst will support this crucial work in the Programmes + Projects Team within BMS/OLS. The Programmes & Projects (P&P) Team provides strategic legal services and handles all legal aspects of UNDP’s programmes and projects and provides legal support to the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Under the overall supervision of the General Counsel and Director of BMS/OLS, and reporting directly to the Senior Legal Advisor and Head of the P&P Team, the Legal Analyst assists in the provision of support to UNDP and UNCDF senior management, headquarters, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices in P&Ps practice area.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Senior Legal Advisor, the Legal Analyst performs the following primary functions:

1)    Legal advice, guidance and counsel on all legal aspects of UNDP’s programmes and projects and UNCDF’s operations, including:

  • Assists in the drafting and negotiation of standard and non-standard programmatic agreements to implement UNDP and UNCDF’s operational and programmatic activities with various development partners.
  • Supports the provision of legal advice to central and regional bureaus on the design and implementation of evolving programme initiatives designed to streamline UNDP’s and UNCDF’s activities, including around engagement with the private sector.
  • Supports the development of new financial instruments and programmatic tools designed to expand UNDP’s and UNCDF’s ability to be an effective partner of choice. These instruments and tools may include guarantees, development services, grants, performance-based and cost-sharing mechanisms.
  • Supports the design and review of policies and procedures that fall within the P&P remit. 
  • Conducts research as required/requested.
     

2)    Legal advice, guidance and counsel on partnership arrangements and donor financing agreements between various partners and donors, and UNDP and UNCDF, including:

  • Assists in the drafting, review and negotiations of donor financing agreements and partnership instruments.
  • Assists in the review and negotiation and revision of corporate agreements with partners, including donors, which govern their overall relationship with UNDP and UNCDF in close consultation with the senior lawyers in the team and, when requested, respective internal client.
  • Conducts research as required/requested.

3)    Legal advice, guidance and counsel on matters arising from the Organization’s status, mandate and legal structure, including: 

  • Assists in preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Organization’s mandate and legal framework including with respect to the Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures and questions and matters involving privileges and immunities of the Organization (the latter in coordination with UN/OLA). 
  • Conducts research and drafts memoranda as required/requested.

4)    Support the creation and maintenance of a robust institutional and corporate legal system, and knowledge management, and conducts research to support P&P’s activities: 

  • Assists in the development and updating of agreements and templates, review of non-standard agreements and the preparation of advice on the creation and interpretation of policies and procedures.
  • Conducts research and drafts memoranda related to the work of the P&P team.
  • Supports the Senior Legal Advisor and other members of the P&P Team in the provision of legal training.

5)    Legal advice, guidance and counsel on commercial matters and on contractual claims including:

  • Assists in the review and negotiation of contracts for goods and services, civil works, leases, banking and other agreements with vendors, in close consultation with senior lawyers in the team and, when requested, the respective internal client(s).
  • Assists in the review, negotiation, settlement, and where appropriate arbitration, of claims and disputes arising from agreements, contracts and other arrangements, including commercial claims and disputes involving UNDP and UNCDF.  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
     

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

Legal  Knowledge of applicable legal framework  

  • Understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system, the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, GA resolutions, the relevant basic country assistance agreement) and UN system-wide legal instruments, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP.

Legal   Knowledge of privileges and immunities   

  • Understanding the legal basis for privileges and immunities, specifically the General Convention and the standard basic assistance agreements, and the application of privileges and immunities corporately and to UN officials.

Legal  Legal advocacy and presentation skills   

  • The ability to articulate and present legal analysis orally, both in a persuasive and objective format and for a variety of different audiences (e.g., governments, administrative tribunals, arbitrators, management, donors, and other partners). This skill requires an ability to identify lines of argument, anticipate counter-arguments, interact in a dynamic and engaging way about legal issues, as well as the ability to think on one's feet and strategically, in a solution-oriented manner, when confronted with new facts or issues within the context of a discussion or presentation.

Legal  Legal analysis skills   

  • The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts in order to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization's best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework.
     

Legal   Legal writing skills   

  • The ability to analyse fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background.

Business Direction & Strategy  Systems Thinking   

  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
     

Business Management  Portfolio Management    

  • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s level/LLM) in Law or equivalent from a recognized university is required; or
  • A first level degree (Bachelor’s Degree/LLB) in Law from a recognized university, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Specialization in International Law is desired.  
  • Passing of the bar examination of a Member State or its equivalent qualification to practice law in a Member State is desirable. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) in the practice of law with a law firm, a government and/or international organization's or non-governmental legal office is required.
  • Experience with the United Nations system, including its Legal Framework and the legal institutional arrangements of United Nations organizations, including the privileges and immunities of international organizations is desired. 
  • Experience in project management, handling several activities concurrently under time constraints, and understanding and managing priorities is desired. 
  • Demonstrated experience reviewing and drafting legal instruments for development cooperation (e.g., project documents, grant/loan agreements, MOUs, contribution agreements, procurement and service contracts) in an international or governmental context is desired. 
  • Experience with UNDP style programme and project cycles (design, approval, implementation, closure), including risk management, due diligence, and basic understanding of results based management and donor requirements is desired.
  • Experience with public international law as it relates to UN operations (privileges and immunities, host country agreements, basic principles of international organizations law) and their practical implications for country level programming is desired. 
  • Experience with UNDP or analogous legal and policy framework for programme and project implementation (e.g., standard agreements, procurement and grant modalities, intellectual property, data protection, anti fraud and sanctions related clauses), or clear ability and motivation to acquire this knowledge quickly is desired.
  • Experience providing clear, solution oriented legal advice, particularly to non lawyer programme colleagues and senior leaders under time pressure, balancing risk management with delivery needs is essential. 
  • Experience in negotiation and communication, including adaptation of templates, identification and explanation of  legal risks, and engage constructively with government counterparts, donors, CSOs, and private sector partners in multicultural settings is desired.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required. 
  • Fluency in French and/or Spanish is an asset. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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