Batch: Senior Legal Affairs Specialist, P-5, New York and Geneva Headquarters

Under the supervision of UNICEF`s Legal Adviser, the Senior Legal Affairs Specialists provide guidance and advice on institutional and commercial procurement, donor agreements, establishing of partnerships, and contracts related to programme support and project implementation, to ensure adherence to organizational financial, procurement, contracting and legal policies, rules and procedures.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Even with progress in child survival, nutrition and education, disparities remain. Ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, and children living in poverty are, most vulnerable to deprivation. To know more about UNICEF visit www.unicef.org

UNICEF is seeking to appoint two Senior Legal Affairs Specialists, both at the P5 level, in the Office of the UNICEF Legal Adviser. One position is based in UNICEF New York Headquarters.  One position is out-posted from UNICEF New York Headquarters to UNICEF’s Geneva Headquarters.

For every child, Hope

Under the supervision of UNICEF`s Legal Adviser, the Senior Legal Affairs Specialists provide guidance and advice on institutional and commercial procurement, donor agreements, establishing of partnerships, and contracts related to programme support and project implementation, to ensure adherence to organizational financial, procurement, contracting and legal policies, rules and procedures.

How can you make a difference?

• Advise on and represent UNICEF in senior-level negotiation of complex contracts and other legal instruments, agreements, and arrangements (including but not limited to contribution and framework agreements with donors and other international organisations).
• Assist and lead in advising on the legal dimensions of establishment, structure and implementation of UNICEF’s collaborations with external partners including other UN organisations (including international financial institutions), civil society, and the private sector.
• Assist and lead in the resolution of disputes, particularly those disputes involving possible liability for the Organisation.
• Assist and lead in advising on the legal interpretation of decisions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and the UNICEF Executive Board; and on the legal interpretation of UNICEF and UN regulations, rules, procedures, and administrative instructions.
• Provide legal advice in connection with violations or suspected violations of UN and UNICEF regulations, rules, administrative instructions and procedures; and assist in the Organizational response to incidents of fraud, misappropriation, mismanagement, and abuse of authority.

 
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international law, commercial law or other related social science field.
  * A first University Degree (for example. Ll. B post-graduate; Ll.M.; J.D.) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• A minimum of (10) ten years of relevant professional experience as practicing lawyer in a relevant area of law is required.
• Prior experience of working either in the UN System or within other international development organizations, or in private practice or as in-house counsel in private industry is highly desirable).
• Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. To view our competency framework, please click here.


UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply

Remark:
One of post is located in NYHQ and one is out-posted to UNICEF’s HQ in Geneva. The incumbent of each post will be required to travel from time to time.