Special Assistant to the Prosecutor, Arusha , Tanzania

Job Title

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PROSECUTOR, P4

Department/ Office

International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Duty Station

ARUSHA

Posting Period

12 February 2014-14 March 2014

Job Opening number

14-ADM-RMT-33297-R-ARUSHA (R)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), ICTR branch, Arusha.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Prosecutor or the Senior Legal Officers of the Offices of the Prosecutor (OTP) for the Hague and Arusha branches of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT).

Analyze, review and manage paperwork (e.g. internal memoranda and briefing material, incoming correspondence, documentation, etc.) requiring the Prosecutor's and, in some cases, the Senior Legal Officers' Attention and ensure, where necessary, that it is tasked and followed-up. This will involve:
Reviewing all documentation, correspondence, letters and requests for information. Drafting replies for the signature of the Prosecutor, including responses to policy questions on the current status of the OTP work, issues with respect to the operations of the OTP and issues with regard to the transition of functions from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Providing advice and recommendations to the Prosecutor and, where necessary, the Senior Legal Officers, with regard to the proposals for handling sensitive issues, queries and requests.
Liaising with other senior staff for their input and comments regarding correspondence. Collecting their opinions/comments, compiling summaries and or making recommendations to the Prosecutor based on the analysis of the information provided.
On behalf of the Prosecutor, oversee the compilation of agenda items for the Co-ordinating Council and other high-level meetings, including before the UN Security Council and General Assembly, and maintain minutes of all meetings attended. Ensure that follow-up action is taken in respect of decisions taken at such meetings. Take initial action on reviewing policy proposals and administrative arrangements that are proposed by senior staff.
Prepare written and verbal briefings for the Prosecutor's and, where so requested, the Senior Legal Officers' external and internal meetings. Prepare background documentation and, where invited, attend all meetings with high government and international officials. Prepare documents summarizing such meetings and ensure follow-up on any actions decided on at such meetings. Provide advice to the Prosecutor and, where necessary, the Senior Legal Officers, as to the content and direction of the meetings with such officials.
Develop systems to coordinate and enhance communications among the Prosecutor and professional and other staff in both branches. Act as facilitator / coordinator with other offices and organs within the MICT, ICTR, and ICTY.
Provide political advice to the OTP. Review all policy positions under consideration of the Prosecutor for consistency of approach. Review the results of any policy implementation with respect to its operational and administrative impact on the OTP and MICT at large.
Undertake special projects (e.g. budgetary and political issues) as directed by the Prosecutor or Senior Legal Officers.
Act as OTP advocate with the Registry on key issues. Represent the views of the OTP on administrative, personnel and operational issues to the Registrar and Senior Registry Officials and negotiate effective solutions.
Participate in the management of the OTP at the support, operational, and advisory levels.
Conduct/coordinate interactions with other offices of prosecutors in other ad hoc tribunals or courts, the International Criminal Court, national governments, Member States, UN Secretariat, other UN agencies, international organizations, and NGOs on a range of issues or projects as they arise.
Supervise the Prosecutor's support staff and assist the Prosecutor in developing and producing their performance assessment reports.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments, including international criminal law and diplomacy.
Ability to deal with a range of complex legal and policy issues and capacity to handle a number of complex tasks against tight deadlines.
Knowledge in the use of computer applications, particularly word processing software and electronic legal research tools.
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.
The position requires excellent people management skills and public relations abilities as well as public speaking skills and ability to interact and negotiate with high-level officials.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
identifies priority activities and assignments;
adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
uses time efficiently.

Leadership:

Serves as a role model that other people want to follow:
empowers others to translate vision into results;
is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives;
establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support;
anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
drives for change and improvements;
does not accept the status quo;
shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Judgement and Decision-Making:

Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
gathers relevant information before making a decision;
considers the positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization;
proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
checks assumptions against facts;
determines whether the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed underlying needs for the decision;
makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree in law, political science, international relations, public administration or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible experience in international law and/or international affairs, including substantial experience in an advisory capacity to senior officials at the international or national level, or in a member state's diplomatic corps or multilateral organization.
Prior experience at an international criminal tribunal or court, including prior diplomatic experience, is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the MICT.
For the post advertised, fluency in either oral and written English or French is required.
Knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Assessment Method