ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The position of Senior Legal Officer (Commercial Matters) (SLO) is one of the core elements of the three branches of the Legal Affairs Service (LAS). The incumbent contributes to LAS' proactive legal support of UNHCR's overall operations and organizational performance. Within the Organization, the incumbent provides authoritative legal advice and guidance on a wide range of legal issues, in particular as regards commercial contracts and other agreements in support of UNHCR's operations and activities, for which the SLO serves as LAS' focal point. The SLO provides substantive input and oversight regarding the preparation of complex commercial agreements and inter-agency agreements.

The SLO reports to the Head, Legal Affairs Service and supervises one or more Legal Officers (at the P-2 or P-3 level).

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability:

  • UNHCR is provided with clear and consistent advice on the legal aspects of commercial and operational matters of the Organization resulting in high level of compliance with legal advice.
  • Commercial and operational agreements are drafted and negotiated in accordance with established legal policy, standards and procedures.
  • UNHCR concludes and maintains appropriate legal arrangements covering complex commercial activities of the Organization.
  • UNHCR is correctly advised on the management of commercial claims and disputes arising from procurement and other operational activities of UNHCR.

Responsibility:

  • Act as focal point of the Legal Affairs Service on commercial law matters and related policy development.
  • Provide expert legal advice and guidance to the Bureaux, field offices and other UNHCR offices on a wide array of commercial matters and complex commercial agreements, including contracts and frame agreements for goods and/or services, IT/telecommunications services, managed services, transportation, banking services, construction, architect and project management services, field security, and audit services.
  • Negotiate complex services contracts with suppliers.
  • Assess and advise units in connection with contractual or commercial disputes.
  • Provide legal advice on the preparation and implications of memoranda of understanding and other agreements with UNHCR partners (such as governmental agencies, NGOs, individuals or companies) and prepare and update standard form agreements.
  • Provide legal advice on the drafting and negotiation of lease agreements and inter-agency common premises and common services agreements.
  • Represent the Legal Affairs Service as Member of the Headquarters Assets Management Board and the Headquarters Committee on Contracts.
  • Represent the Legal Affairs Service in inter-agency activities and task forces on matters pertaining to legal issues arising in procurement processes.
  • Provide legal advice on the correct interpretation of the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNHCR financial rules for voluntary funds.
  • Provide expert legal advice on the implementation of relevant procurement rules, UN general conditions of contract and other relevant instructions and policy issuances.
  • Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the Head of Service.

Authority:

  • Initiate and issue legal policy guidance on matters pertaining to commercial contracts and operational agreements entered into by the Organization based on a thorough understanding of principles of international commercial law.
  • Enforce legal policy and standards pertaining to relevant areas of responsibility.
  • In coordination with, and as delegated by, the Head, Legal Affairs Service, represent LAS in meetings within UNHCR and represent UNHCR with external counterparts on the above issues.
  • Clear legal opinions and correspondence prepared by LAS in the functional area of responsibility.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

  • Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) in law with emphasis in the area of commercial law or international commercial law plus minimum 8 years of previous relevant work experience including a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience. Such experience must include (1) experience in the practice of business law as an attorney in a law firm (2) experience in providing general legal advice as a legal officer in the legal office of an international organization, and (3) experience in dealing with international commercial law matters as applied by the UN.
  • Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
  • In depth knowledge and experience of international law including international commercial law and procurement law as practiced in international organizations.
  • Familiarity with commercial law and procedures in several legal systems.
  • Thorough understanding of the UN system, UN procurement rules and UN Financial Regulations and Rules and UNHCR financial rules for voluntary funds administered by the High Commissioner for Refugees.
  • Excellent skills and experience in drafting agreements, including complex commercial agreements.
  • Excellent skills in legal research and drafting legal opinions on complex matters.
  • Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

  • Knowledge of French.
  • Knowledge of privileges and immunities of the United Nations.

This vacancy is archived.

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