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INTERN - LEGAL AFFAIRS [Temporary]

Jerusalem

  • Organization: UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
  • Location: Jerusalem
  • Grade: Internship - Internship
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

If you are passionate about legal affairs in support of making a lasting difference for Palestine refugees, an internship with UNRWA will give you the opportunity to work on the provision of legal advice, training and assistance on matters and policies relating to UNRWA’s mandate and areas of operation within the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA), UNRWA-HQ. DLA consists of a General Law Team and an International Law Team, and interns will support both teams and have the opportunity to work on a range of topics.

Responsibilities

In support of the General Law Team and International Law Team of DLA, potential areas of work that interns will be asked to support with include:

•Assist with research and the provision of legal advice on the interpretation and application of relevant public international law, including international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, as well as United Nations privileges and immunities;

•Assist with the drafting and review of legal documents, including correspondence, summary notes, briefing papers and reports on a wide variety of legal matters, including on the Agency’s mandate and humanitarian principles;

•Assist with engagement with the international human rights system and advocacy in relation to the enjoyment of human rights of Palestine refugees;

•Assist in the provision of legal advice and analysis on matters arising from contracts entered into by the Agency, including those relating to the procurement of goods and services and donor financing and project agreements for the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance;

•Assist in research and analysis on a wide range of administrative law issues, including use of the Agency’s system for internal administration of justice for staff members and matters relating to allegations of staff misconduct;

•Assist with research and analysis on a wide range of international law issues, including undertaking specific research into key aspects of privileges and immunities and data protection.

•Assist in reviewing legal matters related to the governance of the Agency, including drafting and reviewing UNRWA administrative issuances;

•Assist with servicing high-level and other meetings as well as training sessions for staff members covering a range of legal issues; and

Competencies

• Advanced level of legal research skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Communication skills
• Analyzing

Education

Applicants must be students enrolled in, or have recently completed (i.e. commence internship within one year of graduation date), either a graduate school programme (i.e. second university degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent), with major area of study in law.

Work Experience

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Applicants must be students enrolled in, or have recently completed (i.e. commence internship within one year of graduation date), either a graduate school programme (i.e. second university degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent), with major area of study in law (is required).

Specialization in international law, commercial law or administrative law (is desirable).

Experience in a professional office environment is an asset (is desirable).

Knowledge of Arabic is an asset (is desirable)

Languages

Applicants should demonstrate excellent English communication skills, both orally and in writing, including the ability to draft legal documents in English.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Interns are not financially remunerated by the UNRWA. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:
•Degree Programme (What are you currently studying? Include any relevant course work in administrative law, labor and employment law and litigation.)
•Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
•Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship, including any relevant internship or other experience.
•Explain your interest in the UNRWA Internship Programme.

In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work and academic experiences, and three references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

This vacancy is now closed.
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