Senior Legal Officer

Senior Legal Officer (Temporary Job Opening)

GloJobs analysis estimates · not the employer's figures

Duty station New York, United States

Formality check 3 / 5 — elevated

Formality measures wording patterns — e.g. unusually specific requirements or a short application window — that can suggest a vacancy may favour a pre-identified candidate. This one shows:

Narrow Requirements Short Posting Period (11d) Internal Candidate Bias

The Office of Staff Legal Assistance is headed by the Chief (Senior Legal Officer) who is accountable to the Executive Director of the Office of Administration of Justice, without prejudice to his or her responsibility to provide legal assistance to staff members in an independent and impartial manner. This post is located in the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) in New York, Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ). Under the authority of the Executive Director, the Chief is responsible for the management and proper functioning of the programme of legal assistance to staff members in the internal justice system, including in administrative, disciplinary and appellate proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The Senior Legal Officer (Chief) will report to the Executive Director of OAJ.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the effective and efficient discharge of OSLA's mandate
• Coordinates and supervises the work of legal officers and the other staff of the unit
• Provides strategic legal and policy advice and managerial support to legal officers to maximize resource utilization and efficiencies
• Advises clients on matters relating to appeals against administrative decisions and the imposition of disciplinary measures
• Provides legal advice on diverse and complex substantive and procedural questions with a view to resolving workplace disputes
• Represents clients and coordinates the representation of clients in the formal internal justice system including before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal
• Prepares written and oral submissions to the Tribunals in accordance with procedural requirements
• Manages the human, financial and other resources allocated to the unit, as required
• Develops and maintains standard procedures and monitoring and reporting mechanisms as well as innovative ideas in problem prevention and dispute resolution
• Ensures the maintenance of the unit's registers (electronic and online) and database
• Prepares input for reports on the work of the unit to the General Assembly and other bodies, as may be mandated, and represents the unit in relevant bodies
• Analyses the implications of emerging issues in the unit and makes recommendations on possible strategies and measures
• Coordinates and participates in outreach and training activities by OSLA
• Establishes, manages and coordinates a reliable network of volunteer/pro bono counsel and legal interns and ensures their supervision and support
• Advises the Executive Director on administrative, human resources and logistical matters related to the unit's operational activities

Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative and employment law and judicial procedures, preferably including in the United Nations or other international public organization; Ability to apply legal expertise to analysing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions; 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. Ability to lead and cross-examine witnesses and make substantive legal arguments and oral submissions before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and United Nations Dispute Tribunal. 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 UN system, organization and interrelationships. Knowledge of staff rules and regulations, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations, as well as the jurisprudence of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and United Nations Dispute Tribunal. Strong managerial and interpersonal sk