LEGAL OFFICER, DPS/LEG

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Division of Programme Support (DPS) supports the substantive divisions of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in the fulfilment of the ITC's mandate, and in their respective activities related to programme delivery. DPS achieves this by providing timely, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective support services through the implementation of client-oriented, transparent, and accessible procedures, consistent with applicable United Nations regulations and rules.
This post covers two primary areas: (1) Human Resource (HR) casework and policy; and (2) diverse corporate legal duties, in particular but not limited to the review of legal instruments concluded between ITC and external partners.
The post is in the ITC Legal Office (LEG). The incumbent will report to the Senior Legal Adviser, who reports directly to the Director of the Division of Programme Support (DPS).

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) CASEWORK AND POLICY
• Manage all legal aspects of, and provide guidance on, staff disciplinary matters. Liaise with staff members and the administration in order to procure necessary and/or relevant information and explore options for the resolution of management evaluation requests.
• Support or lead United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) casework when required.
• Conduct extensive legal research and analysis on the development of HR policies and processes and associated administrative issuances relating to the management and organization of ITC.
• Prepare HR legal casework documentation, including that required for management evaluations, studies, reports, and briefing materials, all based on a range of legal documents including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions, the internal rules of ITC, and prior Management Evaluation Unit recommendations.

CORPORATE LEGAL DUTIES
• Undertake detailed reviews, interpretation and development of legal documents and legal instruments such as memoranda of understanding, or other such material.
• Review, draft and interpret contracts and other agreements with funders, private sector entities, governments, licensees, and other partners, to ensure that ITC’s interests are both, promoted and protected, while noting the applicable legal context, and accounting for acceptable business risk.
• Provide legal advice within ITC on a variety of other legal matters.

OTHER DUTIES
• Advise senior ITC staff serving on committees, expert groups, and other bodies, such advice to include the preparation of background materials, summaries of issues, and meeting reports.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrable and sound theoretical knowledge of international law, in particular the application of legal principles, concepts, and policies to the review, examination, and processing of a range of legal issues and documents, including those related to HR casework and disputes. Ability to conduct legal research on a range of complex and intricate issues, and to translate the results into practical, innovative solutions. Ability to take initiative to keep up to date with developments in public international law, and within the UN system. Displays sound knowledge of principles of international commercial law; contract law and in particular HR casework-related law as applied by the UN. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public international or administrative law, or related area.

Note: Candidates who have completed a first-level university degree in public international or administrative law, or a related area, may be considered if they have at least an additional two years of relevant professional experience.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in law, with a focus on one or more of the following, is required: administrative law, the law of international organizations, and/or contract law.

A minimum of three years of experience in the UN HR legal system is desirable

Experience in the application of regulations and rules, policies and procedures, and decision-making processes in the UN system, or an international organization, is desirable.

Experience in the negotiation and informal settlement of claims and disputes is desirable.

Experience in negotiating and/or reviewing public/private partnerships and contracts is desirable.

Experience in EU contract law and negotiations is desirable.

Languages

For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a fixed term appointment for an initial period of one (1) year.
ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. ITC also offers attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work/life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
For information on salary and entitlements, please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org

United Nations Considerations

In accordance with the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with ITC 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.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow 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 based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable 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 in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

ITC does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ITC are fraudulent and should be disregarded.