This temporary position is located in Africa section within the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. It is available through 31 October 2023 with the possibility of extension. The Senior Legal Officer reports directly to the Chief of Section.
Within delegated authority, the Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Analyses the status of implementation of Security Council resolutions 1373(2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019), 2617 (2021) and other relevant resolutions by identified Member States under the Section's portfolio. Prepares stocktaking documents on assessments of counter-terrorism measures undertaken by Member States under the Section's portfolio. Prepares and participates in CTC assessment visits to Member States under the Section to assess their compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international instruments on counterterrorism, prepares recommendations to effectively implement the Security Council resolutions, and identify related capacity-building needs. Prepares draft assessment reports and proposes technical solutions to resolve States' compliance issues, including ways to facilitate concretely needed technical assistance. Follows up with identified Member States under the Section's portfolio to ensure progress made to implement the Committee's assessment recommendations. Follows up with relevant United Nations bodies and technical assistance providers to facilitate the delivery of technical assistance needs to Member States in need for assistance.
Provides authoritative legal advice on diverse legal and counter-terrorism related matters of high complexity.
Prepares global implementation survey and their updates on State's counter-terrorism strengths, shortfalls and good practices. Engages with international, regional and sub-regional organisations to facilitate, and where required, coordinate, follow-up activities that can build capacity in counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism. Identifies those States, regional organisations and implementing agencies that have the capacity to be providers of technical assistance to other States in need and works with them to facilitate this role both bilaterally and as part of well-coordinated, strategic multinational efforts. Prepares briefings and special events for the Committee on thematic or regional issues. Provides draft recommendations for CTC's consideration that focus on more effective and detailed implementation by States of relevant Security Council resolutions and international instruments on counter-terrorism, contributes to promoting international cooperation to further the implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2396 (2019), 2617 (2021) and other relevant resolutions. Liaises and conducts active dialogue with Member States, international/regional and sub-regional organisations, and civil society as appropriate to promote understanding of Security Council resolutions. Serves as CTED focal point with relevant UN entities, including UNOCT relevant Working Groups where relevant as well as with other relevant international and regional entities. Represents CTED in international and regional events, as needed. Undertake other Office assignments and tasks as necessary.
BUILDING TRUST: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
PROFESSIONALISM:
-Extensive knowledge of international norms and standards related to counter-terrorism in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions;
-Expertise in complex legal analysis or law enforcement counter-terrorism measures and in negotiation;
-Has a proven ability to produce reports and papers on highly complex political, legal and technical issues and is able to review and edit the work of others;
-Understands UN policies, regulations, rules and guidelines and understands the nuances of applying them;
-Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of international law and best practices on counter-terrorism matters;
-Remains conscientious, efficient and effective in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving meaningful results;
-Regularly demonstrates motivation and initiative for professional rather than personal reasons;
-Consistently work with persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and remain 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 the audience;
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
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
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecutorial or international legal cooperation or other related areas is required.
Experience with counter-terrorism matters is desirable.
Work experience related to Africa is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
•The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
•At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.
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.