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Legal Specialist Vacancy at UNDP in New York, United States, for August 2024. Apply Today!

UN Jobs Admin August 23, 2024

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Legal Specialist Vacancy at UNDP in New York, United States, for August 2024. Apply Today!

Job Identification: 19790
Locations: New York, United States
Apply Before: 08/30/2024, 05:59 AM
Job Schedule: Full-time
Agency: UNDP
Grade: P4
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Practice Area: Management
Bureau: Bureau for Management Service: Contract Duration” 2 Year with Possibility for extension
Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree: 7 years of experience OR Bachelor’s Degree: 9 years of experience
Required Languages: English
Desired Languages: French
Mobility required/no mobility: no mobility required

Background

As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP personnel are united by a common purpose: to help countries and communities across the world pursue peaceful, prosperous lives in harmony with the planet. The Office of Legal Services in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS/OLS) provides strategic legal services of the highest standard to UNDP, UNCDF, and UN Volunteers, giving pragmatic and timely legal advice that enables the right people to make good decisions. BMS/OLS is seeking outstanding, proactive lawyers with a strong public service background and the capacity and commitment needed to deliver transformative impact. We are seeking colleagues who challenge, inspire, and deliver sustained results.

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Duties and Responsibilities

The Administrative Law Practice (AL) within BMS/OLS is responsible for:
Advising senior management in Headquarters, Regional Centers, and Offices on legal issues arising in the handling of claims, allegations of misconduct or the resolution of matters involving UNDP staff members and UN Volunteers.
Representing UNDP in cases involving allegations of misconduct and appeals against administrative decisions;
Representing UNDP in cases and settlements within the internal justice system, including the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT);
Facilitating in the formulation and review of policies and procedures;
Addressing all legal questions arising in the administration and management of UNDP staff members and UN Volunteers, including privileges and immunities issues and strategies to respond to claims.

Under the overall supervision of the General Counsel and Director of BMS/OLS and to the Deputy Director of BMS/OLS as second-level supervisor, and reporting directly to the Senior Legal Adviser and Head of AL, the Legal Specialist provides support to UNDP senior management, Headquarters, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices, as appropriate, in the Administrative Law practice area.

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UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

1) Legal advice, guidance and counsel on the rights and obligations of staff, including by:

Providing legal advice to the management of UNDP, as well as UNV, UNCDF, and other UN system organizations as relevant, both at headquarters and in the field.
Providing legal advice to the Office of Human Resources on issues including performance management, office restructurings, abolition of posts, reassignment and displaced staff, and other relevant aspects of human resources management.
Providing legal advice on the interpretation of the Staff Regulations and Rules as well as UNDP policies and procedures, including in relation to staff status, benefits and entitlements, and legal obligations to UNDP.
Providing legal advice on policies related to staff conduct, investigations, and the disciplinary process.
Acting on behalf of UNDP in negotiating agreements with staff members and UN volunteers to resolve disputes.

2) Legal advice to respond and handle requests for management evaluation, including:

Drafting proposed replies to requests for management evaluation and providing related advice to management.
Engaging in informal resolution, including settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required, with opposing counsel and/or the Office of the Ombudsman for the Funds and Programmes.

3) Legal advice, guidance, and counsel on the privileges and immunities applicable to staff, including:

Providing legal advice to management on the legal status of staff members, such as in relation to taxation, subpoena, and the arrest and detention of UN officials.
Guiding in the preparation of verbal notes related to the privileges and immunities of staff members and UN volunteers.
Coordinating with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) in the UN Secretariat to ensure consistent application of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

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4) Represent UNDP in litigation before the UN Dispute Tribunal by:

Drafting submissions in appeals before the UN Dispute Tribunal, including with respect to motions, requests for suspension of action, reply briefs, and closing submissions.
Representing UNDP in cases, including in case management conferences and oral hearings. Doing so includes presentations to the judge, the introduction of evidence for admission to the hearing and examination, and the cross-examination of witnesses.
Engaging with opposing legal counsel, including in respect to discussions to amicably resolve matters,.
Supporting OLA in appeals before the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in cases that UNDP litigated before the UN Dispute Tribunal, as appropriate.

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5) Legal advice, guidance, and counsel on matters related to investigations and disciplinary processes, including:

Providing legal advice on issues arising in the context of investigations into allegations of misconduct by staff, including on interim measures such as administrative leave with or without pay.
Reviewing and providing legal advice to management on investigation reports, including by recommending to management whether to initiate the disciplinary process.
Drafting documents relevant to the investigation and disciplinary process, including charge letters and decision letters recommending disciplinary measures or appropriate administrative action.

6) Preparation and review of policies and procedures, review of agreements, and preparation of reporting requirements by:

Preparing reports, including reports related to the administration of justice at UNDP.
Preparing SOPs within BMS/OLS.
Reviewing proposed policies and procedures applicable across UNDP.
Advising on the development and negotiation of agreements with other entities, including UN agencies and Member States, related to staff members.

7) Training activities, knowledge management, and other functions by:

Developing and delivering training programs on topics relevant to the administrative framework of UNDP.
Providing feedback and lessons learned to business units based on developing jurisprudence, examples of recently handled cases, as well as other knowledge gained in position.

8) Represent UNDP and BMS/OLS in intra- and interagency working groups, projects, and other functions by:

Participating in intra- and interagency working groups.
Providing review, guidance, and input on intra- and interagency proposals for common guidelines, best practices, or standardization of policies.
Facilitating in administrative functions related to the office such as IT needs, identification and/or analysis of inputs for the preparation of budget, recruitment of personnel and office management.
Supervising the work of the Legal Assistant for the tasks directly assigned.

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The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the organization.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in Law from a recognized university, OR
A first level degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Law from a recognized university, in combination with additional two years of qualifying relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years (with a master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant practical experience in the practice of law in a law firm, a government, and/or an international organization’s legal office is required.
Understanding of, and experience with, the United Nations system is an asset.
Practical and progressive experience in handling cases involving allegations of misconduct and appeals against administrative decisions is required.
Practical and progressive experience in effective dispute resolution, including advising management on legal claims, is required.
Experience in handling litigation matters before international administrative tribunals, and in particular the UN Dispute Tribunal and UN Appeals Tribunal, is an asset.
The demonstrated ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and the ability to understand and manage priorities are required.
Experience in research, legal writing, and drafting documents is required.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a proven focus on client service are required.
An impeccable record of integrity and professional ethical standards is required.
Please note that the continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.