Posted by The United Nations is recruiting a Senior Legal Officer at the P5 level to lead the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) in New York. The position is part of the Office of Administration of Justice and involves managing legal assistance services for United Nations staff members involved in internal administrative, disciplinary, and appellate proceedings.
The successful candidate will provide strategic legal advice, supervise legal officers, manage the unit’s resources, and represent clients before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The listing requires extensive legal experience, litigation expertise, and a strong background in managing legal teams.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Senior Legal Officer (P5)
- Employer: United Nations
- Department: Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA)
- Office: Office of Administration of Justice
- Location: New York, USA
- Salary: Not specified in the provided listing
- Position Level: P5
- Initial Appointment: One year
- Working Language: English
- Additional Language: French is desirable
About the Employer
The United Nations is an international organization whose work includes maintaining international cooperation and supporting global peace, security, development, and human rights.
This position is within the Office of Staff Legal Assistance, which provides legal assistance to staff members involved in the United Nations internal justice system. The office supports employees in administrative, disciplinary, and appellate proceedings.
The Senior Legal Officer will report to the Executive Director of the Office of Administration of Justice and will be responsible for the management and proper functioning of the legal assistance programme.
Job Description
The Senior Legal Officer will serve as the Chief of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance. The role combines legal leadership, litigation, policy advice, team supervision, and administrative management.
The successful candidate will oversee legal officers and other unit staff, provide guidance on complex legal matters, and coordinate the representation of staff members before the United Nations internal justice tribunals.
The position also involves managing the unit’s financial and human resources, developing procedures, preparing reports, and advising senior management on operational matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance’s mandate.
- Coordinate and supervise legal officers and other unit staff.
- Provide strategic legal and policy advice.
- Offer managerial support to legal officers and help improve the use of available resources.
- Advise clients on appeals against administrative decisions and disciplinary measures.
- Provide legal advice on complex substantive and procedural matters.
- Represent clients before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal.
- Coordinate legal representation in formal internal justice proceedings.
- Prepare written and oral submissions in line with tribunal procedures.
- Manage the human, financial, and other resources allocated to the unit.
- Develop standard procedures and reporting mechanisms.
- Maintain the unit’s registers, electronic records, and databases.
- Prepare contributions to reports submitted to the General Assembly and other relevant bodies.
- Analyze emerging legal and operational issues and recommend appropriate strategies.
- Coordinate outreach and training activities.
- Manage a network of volunteer and pro bono counsel and legal interns.
- Advise the Executive Director on administrative, human resources, and logistical matters.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education
Applicants must have an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in law.
A first-level university degree in law may be accepted instead if the applicant has two additional years of qualifying work experience.
Work Experience
The position requires:
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, including legal analysis, research, and writing.
- At least 5 years of experience as a litigator appearing before courts and tribunals in administrative, labour, or employment law.
- At least 3 years of experience managing teams or an office, including supervising lawyers.
- Experience providing legal advice in civil procedure, administrative law, or employment law.
The following experience is desirable:
- At least one year of criminal law litigation experience.
- Experience working within the United Nations common system or similar international organizations.
Skills and Competencies
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of administrative and employment law.
- Understanding of judicial procedures and legal processes.
- Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
- Ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, submissions, and other legal documents.
- Experience presenting legal arguments and making oral submissions before tribunals.
- Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
- Sound judgment when handling sensitive legal matters.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple cases and meet tight deadlines.
- Good communication and client service skills.
- Knowledge of the United Nations system, staff regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to oversee legal databases and electronic records.
Language Requirements
English is required for this position. Applicants must meet UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
French is desirable, with UN Level II required across the four language skills for candidates presenting it as an additional language.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is not provided in the supplied job listing.
The appointment or assignment is initially for one year. Any renewal is subject to the availability of the position or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the relevant mandate.
The recruitment process may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.
Who Should Apply?
This position is intended for highly experienced legal professionals with substantial backgrounds in litigation, administrative law, employment law, and legal management.
It may suit senior lawyers who have represented clients before courts or tribunals, supervised legal teams, and provided advice on complex legal issues. Candidates should also have the leadership and organizational abilities required to manage a legal assistance office within an international organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Senior Legal Officer position located?
The position is based in New York, USA, within the United Nations Office of Staff Legal Assistance.
2. What level is this United Nations job?
The advertised position is at the P5 professional level.
3. What educational qualification is required?
An advanced university degree in law is required. A Bachelor’s degree in law may be accepted with two additional years of qualifying work experience.
4. How many years of legal experience are required?
Applicants need at least 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
5. Is litigation experience required?
Yes. At least five years of experience as a litigator appearing before courts and tribunals in administrative, labour, or employment law is required.
6. Is management experience necessary?
Yes. At least three years of experience managing teams or an office, including lawyers, is required.
7. Which language is required?
English is required at UN Level III across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is desirable.
8. How long is the initial appointment?
The initial appointment or assignment is for one year, subject to the availability of the position or funding and other applicable approvals.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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