The Legal Support Office, Bureau of Management (LSO/BoM) is responsible for the clearance of all non-standard co-financing agreements with external parties, liaising in particular with the Office of Financial Resources Management in the Bureau of Management, the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, and the Office of Audit and Investigation in this process. There are a range of services and tools to provide to country offices, in support of their non-core mobilization efforts on the ground, which includes standardized templates for co-financing/contribution agreements.
The Legal Specialist, Financing Agreements, performs the lead role with regard to the legal review, guidance and clearance of individual co-financing agreements and donor-specific framework agreements. He or she will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the Legal Support Office.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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- Clear deviations to standard co-financing agreements with specific donors on the basis of standard formats and in line with UNDP’s regulations, rules, policies and procedures;
- Review non-standard co-financing agreements and initiate the internal clearance process with the other bureaux in UNDP;
- Provide advice on processes for establishment of UNDP Trust Funds, review agreements for Trust Funds contributions and initiate/follow up on clearance processes for setting up Trust Funds;
- Provide donor specific information pertaining to legal agreements to UNDP Bureaus and country offices, particularly on best modalities and tools for acceptance of contributions and appropriate instruments;
- Review and, as required, negotiate and revise corporate framework agreements with donors which govern their overall relationship with UNDP in close consultation with the respective Donor Relations Advisers and/or Donor Liaison Offices;
- Based on specific negotiated/cleared texts with donors, provide inputs/advice on best possible ways to streamline and accommodate similar requirements from other donors;
- Based on previous requests for information and support, build FAQs, “how to” tools, and keep the intranet content up to date to provide country offices and regional Bureaux with all required information regarding agreements dos and don’ts, including all contact options for support;
- Initiate development of new formats and update the standard formats when necessary, subject to the clearance of relevant Bureau, to bring it in conformity with changing regulations, rules, policies and procedures of UNDP;
- Provide programmatic advice when and as needed in order to finalize the financing agreements in close consultation with relevant Bureaux and units in UNDP;
- Contribute to the induction and continuous training of UNDP staff with regard to the legal framework governing co-financing contributions and the use and application of legal agreements.
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
- Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture.
Functional Competencies:
- Thorough knowledge of UN and UNDP institutional legal matters, including legislative basis therefore (i.e. UN Charter, relevant General Assembly resolutions and other relevant resolutions and decisions, and UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules);
- Understanding of UNDP’s goals, programmes and its place in the UN system;
- Ability to work with utmost discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters;
- Proven ability to lead negotiations and discussions with donors and partners on matters pertaining to co-financing and legal agreements;
- Client orientation with a constructive approach to resolution of problems;
- Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret rules and guidelines;
- Sound negotiation skills;
- Ability to conceptualize policies;
- Excellent drafting skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with staff at all levels;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Respect for deadlines;
- Excellent communications skills, oral and written;
- Integrity and probity;
- Sound judgment and personal maturity.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Advanced Degree in law ( Masters level).
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years experience and expertise in legal agreements and treaties;
- Good knowledge of UN/UNDP Regulations, Rules and procedures;
- Sound knowledge of UNDP legal and operational procedures in Resource Mobilization;
- Familiarity with current clearance processes as well as with the common UNDP practice as regards contractual modalities with donors;
- Knowledge of UNDP and UN system policies and programming especially in Resources Mobilization Strategies as well as UN institutional relations.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent command of oral and written English. Working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an advantage.
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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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