Intern - Legal Affairs at Economic Commission for Africa

Closing date: Friday, 26 December 2014

Posting Title: ITERN - LEGAL AFFAIRS, I

Job Code Title: INTERN - LEGAL AFFAIRS

Department/ Office: Economic Commission for Africa

Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period: 11 December 2014-26 December 2014

Job Opening number: 14-LEG-ECA-38057-R-ADDIS ABABA (O)

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

Special Notice

Interns must keep confidential any and all unpublished information obtained during the course of the internship and not publish any reports or papers based on such information except with

the explicit authorization of United Nations Economic Comission for Africa (UNECA). 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?)

Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)

List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.

List your top three areas of interest.

Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.

Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

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

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) is an independent office responsible for the overall coordination of the formal system of administration of justice at the United Nations. It is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Secretary-General.

The Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), the Registries for the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) and the Office of the Executive Director (OED) are part of the Office of Administration of Justice. With its headquarters in New York, the Office of Administration of Justice also has a presence — through the UNDT Registries and the branch offices of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance — in Geneva, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Beirut.

The internship is with OSLA in Addis Ababa located within the UNECA. OSLA Legal Officers provide legal assistance to staff members, former staff members or affected dependents of staff member. Duties include: Advise staff members on issues relating to appeals against administrative decisions and the imposition of disciplinary matters;

Represent and litigate on behalf of staff members before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and prepare written and oral submissions to these bodies and ensure that they meet procedural requirements.

The internship is for three months with an opportunity for extension, pending on the needs of the department. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) and will report directly to the Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the internship position encompass all aspects of OSLA's work. These responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Conducting legal research on issues relating to public international law, international administrative law, disciplinary law and other areas required for legal representation of the UN staff members;
2. Assisting in client and file management including conducting interviews, planning litigation strategy under the supervision of OSLA legal officers;
3. Drafting legal documents and submissions to the UN Dispute and Appeals Tribunals;
4. Attending and taking notes at interviews, conferences and hearings;
5. Attending team meetings;
6. Working on presentations for outreach and promotion of Rule of Law in the UN system.

Competencies

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 the audience;
• demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 own position;
• shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and 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.

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, Applicants must meet one of the following requirements

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or
3. Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation.

For this post, enrollment in at least the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) in the following areas is preferable: Legal.

Work Experience

• Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required;
• knowledge of the other is desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

Assessment Method

• Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
• Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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