Legal counsel Jobs in Carouge

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The Registry is part of the independent Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) and supports the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) at the UNDT seat in Geneva. The incumbent will report to the Registrar in Geneva as the First Reporting Officer and the Principal Registrar as the Second Reporting Officer. The UNDT is the first instance tribunal of the internal justice system and hears and decides cases filed by or on behalf of current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions. The UNDT conducts hearings, issues orders, and renders binding judgments.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties : In the framework of the Registry, the Legal Officer will be responsible for providing substantive, technical and administrative support for the adjudication of cases to the UNDT judges in Geneva.

• Review of submissions to the UNDT.
• Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence.
• Support Judges by preparing background materials and summaries of issues, as required.
• Attend meetings, and give advice on emerging issues and questions, as required.
• Identify issues, draft legal texts and handle a wide range of complex legal matters involving interpretation and application of administrative / employment law.
• Conduct extensive legal research and provide detailed analysis of cases and jurisprudence.
• Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions.
• Assist in the preparation of referrals to the Mediation Division of the Office of the Ombudsman.
• Support the Judges in producing accurate, comprehensive judgments, including review of draft judgments for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies, and ensuring editorial uniformity prior to dissemination.
• Respond to correspondence / queries from the parties.
• Assist in maintaining the UNDT's registers (electronic and paper), the publication and dissemination of the decisions, rulings and judgments rendered by the UNDT, in the required official languages, through the agreed media.
• Assist in maintaining the UNDT’s case law digest and jurisprudence databank.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism : Knowledge of relevant Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or that of a similar international organization, as well as of applicable jurisprudence; ability to apply legal and administrative expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual issues and problems, and to problem solve and develop innovative and creative solutions; ability to produce reports and papers on legal and administrative matters; ability to analyze and conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and / or complex nature; ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal and administrative issues; ability to influence others to reach agreement; ability to review and edit the work of others. 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. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in another United Nations Official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

United Nations Considerations

According 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST / AI / 2023 / 3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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 Fee

THE 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.