Chief, Office of Staff Legal Assistance, New York

• Organization: OAJ - Office of Administration of Justice
• Country: United States
• City: New York, USA
• Grade: P-5

Closing date: Monday, 13 July 2015

Posting Title: Chief, Office of Staff Legal Assistance, P5

Job Code Title: SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER

Department/ Office: Office of Administration of Justice

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 14 May 2015-13 July 2015

Job Opening number: 15-LEG-OAJ-42767-R-NEW YORK(G)


United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: This post is located in the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) in the Office of Administration of Justice. The Chief 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.

Responsibilities

The Chief is responsible for the management and proper functioning of the programme of legal assistance to staff members in the system of administration of justice at the United Nations, including in administrative and disciplinary proceedings as well as proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The Chief is responsible for the following duties:

• 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;
• Analyzes 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.

 
Competencies

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 analyzing 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 skills.
• Ability to use electronic search engines.
• Ability to oversee maintenance of OSLA database.
• 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.

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.

Client Orientation

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view;
• establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
• keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in cases;
• meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Leadership

• Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results;
• is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives;
• establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support;
• anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions;
• drives for change and improvements;
• does not accept the status quo;
• shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Managing Performance

• Establishes priorities and plans, coordinates and monitors work of others;
• delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority;
• makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
• accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
• regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff;
• encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative;
• actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff;
• appraises performance fairly.

Education

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

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required.
• Knowledge of and experience in judicial structures and procedures is required.
• Practical experience in giving legal advice in the areas of administrative or employment law is required.
• Litigation experience in civil litigation or administrative law litigation or employment law litigation is required.
• Managerial experience, including in managing lawyers and in managing a legal practice or office, is required.
• Experience in representing clients in employment disputes is desirable.
• Criminal law litigation experience is desirable.
• Experience at the international level, preferably in an international public organization, is desirable.
• Experience in data management is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment Method

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

United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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