Posting Title: Legal Officer/ Special Assistant to the ASG/Executive Director, P4

Job Code Title: LEGAL OFFICER

Department/Office: Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 24 May 2023 – 07 July 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Legal Affairs-CTED-209983-R-New York (X)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis post is located in the Office of the ASG/Executive Director, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). The incumbent reports directly to the ASG.

Responsibilities

For this position, the Legal Officer will conduct the following duties:

•  Serves as a lead officer in one or more areas of concentration, and independently handles a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international, public, private, criminal and counter-terrorism law, to include interpretation and application of international legal instruments in the area of counter-terrorism (both substantive and procedural).
•  Assists the ASG in organizing and prioritizing the workload and providing general coordination and supervision of assignments as regards the substantive work of CTED. Coordinates and reviews external communications; oversees and serves as focal point for internal communications.
•  Provides dedicated support to the ASG in the discharge of his responsibilities as the Executive Director of the Committee Executive Directorate.
•  Serves as CTED focal point with the Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committee Secretariat, as well as the experts’ teams of other Security Council subsidiary bodies and other UN entities.
•  Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, particularly as it relates to counter-terrorism and implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and international legal instruments on counter-terrorism.
•  Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, correspondence; provides legal advice to the Executive Director.
•  Services Counter-Terrorism committee, its special meetings, task forces, expert groups and other bodies as required, including preparation of background materials, CTED annual and monthly reports, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
•  Reviews, advises on and drafts complex agreements, institutional and operational modalities, or legal submissions and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
•  Advises on and participates in negotiations to include establishing strategy and approach.
•  Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of international legal instruments in the area of counter-terrorism.
•  Serves on various ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of the United Nations and represents the organization at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.
•  Coordinates and direct teams of other legal officers dealing with significant problems and different aspects of CTED mandate as required, and/or mentors and supervises the work of junior officers on specific projects.
•  Contributes to review and design of new, or new applications of, legal instruments, policy, guidelines, etc.
•  Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

•  Professionalism: Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments, including criminal and counter-terrorism law, both substantive and procedural. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in dealing with complex legal and counterterrorism problems. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and counter-terrorism issues and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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 own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
•  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.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, or related field is required. Experience related to counterterrorism is desirable. Experience in a position directly assisting senior officials is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

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

Special NoticeThe United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, 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 the United Nations 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. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully 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 on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the 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 on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.