This position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs (OUSG) in the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The incumbent reports to a Principal or Senior Legal Officer.
Within limits of delegated authority and depending on location, the Legal Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:
•Conducts basic research using a variety of sources, including, in particular, the OLA Registry, Prodagio and CorLogand for review of Senior Legal Officer.
•Compiles legal materials for use in the preparation of legal opinions, for inclusion in studies and reports.
•Assists in the maintenance of a body of legal reference files, both paper and electronic, to ensure rapid retrieval of critical information; conducts reference searches upon request; reviews material and determines appropriate file classification category; identifies material for inclusion in files; coordinates with Archives on retirement, storage and retrieval of files; participates in initiatives to enhance existing systems for records management and retrieval, including development of proposals for consideration.
•Reviews, verifies and processes legal instruments, ensuring conformity to relevant guidelines and requirements; extracts key data and update database; monitors requisite follow-up actions, approvals, etc.
•Drafts, edits and conducts final check for accuracy of a variety of specialized documentation, legal publications, and related correspondence.
•Manages individual case files, maintaining and updating detailed "docket sheets" and ensuring that all related correspondence and other documentations are appropriately filed, registered and followed up as necessary.
•Independently handles a variety of relatively complex verbal and written inquiries from internal and external parties, including providing detailed information on processes and procedures related to a range of legal activities, instruments, issues, etc.
•Assists in servicing various committees and other meetings, including assisting in the preparation of pre-, in and post-session documents, preparation of draft of Journal and summaries, notes for the Chairman; establishes log and assigns document identification symbols; coordinates with relevant units; prepares and updates programme of work, delegation and documents lists; tracks status of meetings and monitors follow-up actions, etc.
•Provides technical assistance and organizes logistical aspects for meetings including the annual meetings of Network of Legal Advisers of Specialized Agencies, Related and other Organizations (UN System); network of the Legal Advisers and Legal Liaison Officers of the United Nations Offices, Funds and Programmes andthe meeting of the Field Legal Officers
•Coordinates ceremonies (e.g., signings, etc.) and related meetings, ensuring timely receipt of legal instruments and other requisite documentation.
•Maintains internal databases on cases for tracking and trend analysis; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases, and posting of documents on the website.
•Provides general office support services; processes, drafts, edits, proofreads and finalizes for signature/approval a variety of correspondence and other communications, specialized legal documentation; performs budget preparation input monitoring and implementation in IMDIS, etc.; sets up and maintains files/records (electronic and paper); schedules appointments/meetings, monitors deadlines, etc.
In addition, the Legal Assistant will also provide a wide range of administrative support to the Principal or Senior Legal Officer:
•Coordinates administrative services (e.g., translation of legal publications,) including preparing and monitoring requests, liaising with relevant units, and maintaining related statistics for reporting purposes as required.
•Performs a variety of administrative duties through standard internal tools such as lnspira and Umoja, for matters of attendance reporting, requesting office supplies, requesting facilities management services.
•Assists in preparation of memoranda and correspondence for the signature of the USG.
• Assists the Senior Legal Officer in preparing the Legal Counsel for meetings through compiling and organizing background notes, talking points or other relevant preparatory material.
•Receives all incoming OLA communications and processes it accordingly.
•Assists in preparing and compiling meeting files and materials for the USG, including preparatory materials for the SG's Management Committee and Executive Committee meetings as well as materials necessary for Legal Counsel's official missions.
•Provides guidance and training to less experienced staff in administration, protocol and other relevant procedures.
•Performs other ad hoc duties as assigned.
•Professionalism: Knowledge of organizational legal framework, relevant legal processes, procedures and terminology for review, examination, preparation and processing of legal documents. Ability to conduct research using diverse legal research sources [including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other data bases). Ability to review and synthesizes information and present findings and recommendations in a required format. Knowledge of information management, classification and retrieval systems. Ability to show tact and discretion in dealing with high-ranking officials and with confidential matters and materials. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals: solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda: supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
•Planning and 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.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
A minimum of seven years of experience in supporting legal proceedings/procedures, conference servicing, general office support or related area is required.
Experience working in a legal or judicial environment is desirable.
Experience working in a Front Office environment is desirable.
Experience in handling sensitive and confidential information is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
Aux termes du paragraphe 3 de l’Article 101 de la Charte des Nations Unies, la considération dominante dans le recrutement du personnel doit être la nécessité d’assurer à l’Organisation les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. Ne seront pas retenues les candidatures des personnes qui ont commis des violations du droit international des droits de l’homme, des violations du droit international humanitaire, des actes d’exploitation, d’atteintes ou de harcèlement sexuels, ou au sujet desquelles il existe des raisons plausibles de croire qu’elles ont été impliquées dans la commission de tels actes. L’expression « exploitation sexuelle » désigne le fait d’abuser ou de tenter d’abuser d’un état de vulnérabilité, d’un rapport de force inégal ou de rapports de confiance à des fins sexuelles, y compris mais non exclusivement en vue d’en tirer un avantage pécuniaire, social ou politique. On entend par « atteinte sexuelle » toute atteinte physique de nature sexuelle commise par la force, sous la contrainte ou à la faveur d’un rapport inégal, ou la menace d’une telle atteinte. Le harcèlement sexuel s'entend de tout comportement déplacé à connotation sexuelle raisonnablement propre ou de nature à choquer ou humilier, lorsqu'il entrave la bonne marche du service, est présenté comme une condition d'emploi ou crée au lieu de travail un climat d'intimidation, d'hostilité ou de vexation, et lorsque ce comportement est assez grave pour justifier le licenciement de son auteur. La candidature de personnes qui ont commis des infractions autres que des infractions mineures au code de la route ne sera pas retenue.
Sera dûment prise en considération l'importance d'un recrutement effectué sur une base géographique aussi large que possible. Aucune restriction ne sera imposée par l'Organisation à l'accès des hommes et des femmes, dans des conditions égales, à toutes les fonctions, dans ses organes principaux et subsidiaires. Le Secrétariat de l'Organisation des Nations Unies est un espace non-fumeurs.
La considération dominante dans l’engagement, la mutation ou la promotion du personnel est la nécessité de s’assurer les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. En acceptant une offre d’engagement, les membres du personnel sont soumis(es) à l’autorité du Secrétaire général, qui peut leur assigner l’une quelconque des tâches ou l’un quelconque des postes de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, conformément à l’alinéa c) de l’article 1.2 du Statut du personnel. Dans ce contexte, tous les membres du personnel recrutés sur le plan international sont tenus de changer de fonctions périodiquement à l’intérieur d’un même lieu d’affectation ou dans un autre lieu d’affectation, dans les conditions fixées par le Secrétaire général.
Les candidats sont invités à respecter scrupuleusement toutes les instructions disponibles sur la plateforme de recrutement en ligne Inspira. Pour des informations plus détaillées, ils ou elles peuvent consulter le manuel d'instructions pour le candidat, en cliquant sur le lien hypertexte « Manuels » sur le côté supérieur droit de la page d'accueil de leur compte Inspira.
Les candidatures feront l'objet d'une évaluation et d'un examen préalables sur la base des informations soumises conformément aux critères d'évaluation de l'avis de vacance de poste et aux dispositions législatives internes applicables de l'Organisation des Nations Unies, notamment la Charte des Nations Unies, les résolutions de l'Assemblée générale, le Statut et le Règlement du personnel, les textes administratives et les directives. Les candidats doivent fournir des informations exhaustives et précises conformément aux instructions fournies sur la plateforme Inspira. Une fois la candidature envoyée, aucune modification, suppression ou révision, ni aucun ajout ou changement ne pourra être fait. Il sera procédé à une vérification des références des candidats faisant l'objet d'une attention particulière pour s'assurer de l'exactitude des renseignements qu’ils ont fournis dans leur candidature.
Les avis de vacance de postes publiés sur le Portail des carrières sont retirés à 11:59 p.m. (heure de New York), le jour de la date limite de dépôt des candidatures.
L’ONU NE PERÇOIT DE FRAIS À AUCUN STADE DU RECRUTEMENT (DÉPÔT OU TRAITEMENT DE LA CANDIDATURE, ENTRETIEN, FORMATION, ETC.), ET ELLE NE DEMANDE AUCUNE INFORMATION BANCAIRE.