Closing date: Sunday, 8 March 2015
Posting Title: LEGAL AND POLICY ADVISOR, P4
Job Code Title: LEGAL OFFICER
Department/ Office: International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Duty Station: ARUSHA
Posting Period: 6 February 2015-8 March 2015
Job Opening number: 15-LEG-RMT-40507-R-ARUSHA (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
The appointment is limited to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals. Appointment of the successful candidate on this position will be limited to the initial funding of the post. Extension of the appointment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. As the international tribunals are not integrated in the Secretariat, UN Staff Members serve on assignment or secondment from their parent department/office if selected. Appointments of staff members in the United Nations are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General. Staff Members are expected to move periodically to new functions in accordance with established rules and procedures, and may in this context be reassigned by the Secretary-General throughout the Organization based on the changing needs and mandates.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Registrar of the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals ('Mechanism'), the Arusha Branch. The incumbent will report to the Registry Officer-in-Charge of the Arusha Branch.
Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Registry Officer-in-Charge, the incumbent:
- Provides a range of legal and policy advice and support to the Registrar and the Registry Officer-in-Charge. This includes coordinating and strategising the work within the Registry Arusha Branch; liaising and coordinating work with the Registry Hague Branch and with the Mechanism President, Chambers and Prosecutor, as required.
- Serves as a lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal and policy matters involving issues of international, public, private, administrative, international humanitarian and criminal law (both substantive and procedural).
- Provides legal, policy and diplomatic advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to the Mechanism administration and management. They may also include assessment and advice on strategic topics that relate to the mandate of the Registry of the Mechanism.
- Performs extensive legal and political affairs research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, policy advice, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
- Contributes to review and design of new, or new applications of, legal instruments, policy, guidelines, etc.
- Prepares or reviews draft legal submissions for the Registrar.
- Participates in and assists the Registrar with diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of draft presentations and speeches, background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
- Reviews, advises on and drafts complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities, or legal motions / submissions and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
- Advises on and participates in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes to include establishing strategy and approach, deciding on the legal text for terms and conditions of contracts, on the recommendations on the merit of claims, etc.
- Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of staff regulations and rules, including the review of administrative decisions; prepares draft amendments to the staff regulations and rules; prepares draft administrative issuances or amendments thereto and verifies their consistency with the existing staff regulation and rules; prepares analyses and evaluations of human resources policies and practices.
- Represents the organisation on more complex cases before arbitral and other tribunal or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases and staff appeals.
- Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the organisation at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
- Coordinates and direct teams of other legal officers or staff dealing with significant problems as required, and / or mentors and supervises the work of junior officers on specific projects.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism
- In-depth 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 of the work of the ICTR, ICTY and Mechanism.
- Excellent drafting skills.
- 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 the audience;
- demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning and Organising
- 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.
Vision
- Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks;
- clearly communicates links between the Organisations' strategy and the work units' goals;
- generates and communicates broad and compelling organisational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction;
- conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Judgement/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 positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
- takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organisation;
- proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
- checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
- makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
- Advanced university degree in law is required (Master's degree or equivalent), preferably with specialisation in criminal law or international law.
- A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in law, including substantial experience in an advisory capacity to senior officials at the international or national level, or in a State's diplomatic corps or multilateral organisation.
- Experience from an international criminal tribunal or international court is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the Mechanism.
- For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
- Working knowledge of French is highly desirable.
Assessment Method
- There may be a technical test and / or a competency-based interview.
