Org. Setting and Reporting
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
The Principal Legal Officer (General Law) focuses on developing strategies to promote and
implement, as well as providing advice and training on, the following topics: contractual and
procurement matters, resolution of commercial and contractual disputes, the Agency's
regulatory framework, public international law issues, administrative law issues, and
management of appeals before the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal
and reports to the Director of Legal Affairs.
Responsibilities
- Directly supports the Director of Legal Affairs in all aspects of work; assists the Director of
Legal Affairs in leading the programme of work and management of the human and financial
resources of the Department; and provides strategic and technical leadership for the Agency's
lawyers with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and
consistent advice. - Develops strategies to promote and implement the Agency's legal function; provides advice
and training on the interpretation and application of the Agency's regulatory framework,
including General Assembly resolutions, Staff and Financial Regulations, Rules and
associated administrative issuances, organizational directives, and in particular regarding
Agency governance and management of administrative, contractual and procurement law
issues; advises other departments (Headquarters and Fields) on the interpretation and application of the Agency's regulatory framework; provides technical expertise and advice on
amendments to the Agency's regulatory framework, including drafting of Agency regulations
and rules and drafting or reviewing of legal opinions on complex or sensitive financial issues
including interpretation of the Agency Finance Regulations and Technical Instructions. - Reviews drafts of all types of Agency contractual modalities, including complex contracts
for procurement of goods and/or services, memoranda of understanding with partners and
funding agreements; provides training in connection therewith. - Contributes to the Department's client-oriented service delivery; contributes to identifying
and addressing important strategic legal and policy issues facing the Agency; provides and
supervises the provision of legal input into the development and implementation of Agency
strategy and policy relating to all areas of UNRWA. - Advises on resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency, including
overseeing, supporting and conducting negotiations, settlement and arbitration. - Provides and supervises provision of legal advice, training, outreach and assistance on
matters relating to administrative and employment law, in particular advises on investigations
and disciplinary matters; reviews drafts of Agency submissions to the UNRWA Dispute
Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal, and appears before the Tribunals as required. - In collaboration with the Principal Legal Officer (International Law), and as required,
ensures the consistent interpretation and application of international law throughout the
Agency; provides and supervises provision of advice and training on relevant public
international law, including UN law and international human rights, humanitarian and refugee
law; provides advice on relevant public international law issues, in particular the status,
mandate, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its
personnel. - Establishes and maintains relations with representatives of host and other governments, the
UN Office of Legal Affairs, UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNSCO and other entities with
respect to issues of legal concern. - Serves as a member of the Agency's Headquarters Committee on Procurement and
participates in other committees and bodies as required.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default. Default managerial competencies may apply.
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts
- Analyzing
- Deciding and Initiating Action
- Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership
- Managing Complexity and Change
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in law, with
specialization in contract law, commercial law, administrative law and/or public international
law, and admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction.
Work Experience
At least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant experience as a lawyer in the
United Nations, other international organization, government service, the commercial/private
sector or NGO, including a period of experience in contract, commercial, administrative
and/or public international law
Three years of professional work experience at a senior level
A minimum of two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA,
and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship,
a passport or a national identity number.
Knowledge of the history and contemporary problems of the Middle East (Desirable).
Familiarity with UN Common System and practices (Desirable).
Experience in appeals to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, United Nations Appeals
Tribunal, ILO Administrative Tribunal or other international administrative tribunal
(Desirable)
Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English;
Working knowledge of Arabic and/or another official language of the United Nations is an
asset (Desirable).
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
The Principal Legal Officer (General Law) should be able to travel in the Agency's areas of
operation in the Middle East as well as to other locations.
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be
considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the
requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying relevant
experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not
considered an acceptable combination.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states,
regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the
difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
United Nations
How to apply:
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx go to Department and choose UNRWA for UNRWA posts. Only applications received through https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted via e-mail only.
Link to TJO is: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=173291&Lang=en-US