Org. Setting and ReportingWith its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services ResponsibilitiesUnder the guidance and supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs, the incumbent shall handle a wide range of multi-disciplinary and legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU, with particular emphasis on public international law, international institutional law, international dispute settlement and contractual issues, as well as legal issues associated with procurement and compliance, intellectual property, information and communication technology, data protection and privacy. 1 Undertake legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence on legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of the UPU. 2 Provide legal advice on, and assist in organization-wide efforts concerning, contract management and international dispute settlements. 3 Provide legal advice and act as a focal point in the DAJ for legal matters relating to information technology, data protection and privacy, among other areas determined by the Director of Legal Affairs. 4 Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, including administration and management, procurement and various other operational and technical matters, for a wide range of stakeholders, including the Executive Management and other UPU International Bureau directorates, internal committees and other bodies, UPU governing bodies, member countries, their designated operators and other relevant postal sector stakeholders. 5 Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of legal instruments relevant to the work of the UPU (including, without limitation, the Acts of the UPU, other international treaties and domestic statutes, governing body resolutions, agreements and internal UPU regulations and rules). 6 Provide advice and assistance in resolving procedural and substantive legal questions at meetings. 7 Provide secretariat services to various committees and bodies dealing with legal matters falling within the competence of the UPU, including: a Preparing background materials, reports and papers. b Preparing and formulating legal advice to members and secretariats of such bodies. c Synthesizing member countries’ views and practices on particular legal issues. d Preparing legal instruments, such as draft treaty texts, agreements, contracts, internal regulations and rules or other legislative materials pertaining to the UPU. d Representing the DAJ at specialized meetings and on internal bodies, boards or committees, in particular on matters involving organizational policies. 8 Assist in the provision of legal advice on the interpretation and application of UPU staff regulations and rules, administrative instructions and other internal rules, including the review of administrative decisions, preparation and review of draft amendments to the aforementioned rules, as well as overall consistency checks with existing staff regulations and rules, administrative instructions and other internal rules. 9 Assist in the preparation of legal submissions/motions on behalf of the UPU and represent the organization in the course of proceedings (including disciplinary cases and staff appeals) before the competent internal appeal bodies and administrative tribunals (including the UPU Appeals Committee and the United Nations Administrative Tribunal – UNAT), and any other relevant judicial or quasi-judicial bodies. 10 Consult with counterparts in other organizations. Participate in negotiations with contractors and with representatives of member countries, their designated operators, international organizations and other relevant postal stakeholders. 11 Review, advise on and draft legal instruments based on standard practice for various institutional and operational purposes (including supply-related contracts, cooperation agreements, letters of intent and memoranda of understanding). 12 Conduct legal feasibility studies and advise on necessary modifications to projects, taking into con-sideration the scope of the UPU’s mandate and any relevant internal rules. 13 Assist in the provision of legal training to internal and external stakeholders on various legal issues deemed relevant to the UPU, with particular emphasis on the areas referred to in the “main role of the job” section above. 14 Represent the UPU at relevant meetings, conferences and seminars on the basis of established policies and/or guidelines. 15 Perform other duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism – Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions, and for the consequences of these; – Produces and delivers high-quality results; – Drives change and improvement, continually searching for new ways to position the organization for success; – Ensures that knowledge and learning is shared across the organization and encourages staff to learn from each other. Ethics – Ensures that personal views and convictions do not compromise ethical principles; – Understands and behaves in accordance with the UPU's professional, ethical and legal framework; – Does not abuse power or authority vested by functions; – Respects commitments and promises made to internal and external partners; – Promptly confronts unprofessional or unethical behaviours and takes immediate appropriate action; – Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion. Taking responsibilities/results orientation - Seeks to achieve expected outputs within the agreed timeframe; - Ensures competent delivery with minimal supervision, even under pressure and with constantly changing priorities; - Keeps supervisors informed of challenges encountered and solutions found. - Quickly identifies issues and the right person to provide solutions, and shows strong client orientation in business dealings; - Explores the options for finding innovative solutions to improve work processes and results; - Remains focused and keeps morale high when faced with adversity; - Reallocates resources quickly and effectively when faced with unforeseen events. Working together/teamwork - Works collaboratively with team members to achieve results; - Shows respect to other members of the team, regardless of gender or of cultural, educational or religious background; - Seeks help when needed in order to achieve set goals; - Shares information on issues that may affect the team and respects confidentiality; - Accepts joint responsibility for the team's successes and shortcomings. - Encourages cooperation among staff within the programme and directorate and across the organization; - Collects and assesses information on a broad range of issues related to the team's work and seeks common solutions; - Encourages others to be innovative in order to improve outcomes. Team management: - Demonstrates the ability to delegate responsibility, motivate and lead, and provide effective coaching and performance feedback; - Coordinates the activities of the team; - Delegates work efficiently within the team and evaluates the team's work in a timely and fair manner; - Clearly communicates work expectations and defines successful indicators; - Takes ownership of the team's problems and seeks sustainable solutions; - Recognizes team participation and rewards individual contributions; - Ensures a good planning of work and regularly reassesses priorities to ensure delivery of the expected outcomes; - Motivates team members to strive for excellence. Job-related competencies: 1 Ability to defend and explain complex and sensitive issues to staff members (including senior officials), representatives of UPU member countries and other relevant postal stakeholders, as well as counterparts of United Nations system organizations and other intergovernmental organizations. 2 Excellent conceptual thinking, as well as logical and analytical skills. 3 Excellent negotiation skills, with a heightened sense of impartiality and objectivity. 4 Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to adapt to and accommodate changes in circumstances, opinions and priorities, including at short notice. 5 Strong planning and organizational skills with regard to the management of complex legal projects, and attention to detail. 6 Strong multi-disciplinary mindset. 7 Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills. 8 Excellent communication skills with the ability to argue clearly and logically in written and oral form. 9 Excellent ethical awareness. EducationAdvanced university degree in law (Master’s degree or equivalent) is required. A specialization in public international law, international institutional law or international dispute settlements is desirable. Job - Specific Qualification1. Excellent knowledge of public international law, international institutional law, international dispute settlements and arbitration is required. 2. Excellent knowledge of procurement and compliance aspects (particularly in what pertains to the United Nations common system) is required. 3. Excellent knowledge of contract law and international commercial agreements is required. 4. Excellent knowledge of international intellectual property law and other legal issues associated with information and communication technology, including data protection and privacy is required. 5. Excellent knowledge of the framework on privileges and immunities as applied to intergovernmental organizations (with emphasis on the specialized agencies of the United Nations) is required. 6. Working knowledge of international administrative law (particularly in what pertains to the United Nations common system) is required. 7. Excellent analytical and legal drafting skills are required. Work ExperienceAt least five years of progressively responsible experience in an international legal environment is required 2. Experience at the international level within the United Nations common system or similar international organizations, law firms or governments is desirable Languages- Fluent in French or English and good working knowledge of the other language. - Working knowledge of other United Nations languages is an advantage. AssessmentApplicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Special Notice- Annual salary:(Net of tax) 70,212 USD - Post adjustment: 68.1 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. - Type of contract: Fixed-term (Core) appointment - Duration: Three years - Scheduled date for taking up appointment: As soon as possible - French is the official language of the UPU. English and French are the working languages of the UPU International Bureau. - Priority shall be given for an internal promotion. - The UPU is committed to encouraging diversity within its workforce. Interested candidates from minority groups and/or with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated equally and in the strictest confidence. - Candidates might be considered for other similar posts (for a period not exceeding one year). - Candidates must ensure that they provide relevant contact details so that they can be contacted at any time, to prevent them from being excluded from the selection process. - The UPU is committed to securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for its staff members. In this regard, candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to satisfactory background checks aimed at validating the educational and professional background records as indicated by candidates in their respective application forms. - At the discretion of the UPU, such background checks may also be extended to include criminal records, disciplinary measures, sexual exploitation and abuse, and professional license check validation. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. No FeeTHE 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.