Org. Setting and ReportingThe objective of the Convention is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the framework of an integrated approach which is consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in affected areas. The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to plan for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies; to compile and transmit reports submitted to it; to facilitate assistance to affected developing country Parties, on request, in the compilation and communication of information required under the Convention; to coordinate its activities with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies and conventions. This position is located in the Executive Office unit of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) sub-unit Governing Body and Legal Affairs (GBLA). The incumbent provides legal and procedural advice and services to support (1) the intergovernmental negotiation process and the implementation of the COP decision, and (2) the administration and operations of the UNCCD secretariat. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the Chief of Governing Bodies, the Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting management evaluations of decisions taken by the management of Convention. Duties will include but are not limited to: • Provides legal advice to the UNCCD Secretariat in matters related to cooperation agreements and governance affairs, • Handles a range of issues related to constitutional, international, public, private, and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations/UNCCD secretariat activities and operations. • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares studies, comparative studies, policies, briefs, reports and correspondence. • Provides general legal advice to other units of UNCCD secretariat as well as counterparts. • Prepares and assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public and private law issues involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, administrative law of the UNCCD secretariat/United Nations and intellectual property matters. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of a variety of legal instruments, including memoranda of understanding/agreements with governments, NGOs, other public and private entities and commercial contractors, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes and in the handling of private international law matters. • Assists in representing the Organization before the UN Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases. • Provides legal advice on general and individual human resources matters. • Provides guidance to junior staff. • Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the UNCCD and as required by the Executive Secretary. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyse information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. The ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, with a specialization in international, administrative or commercial law is required. A first-level university degree, in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, with a focus on administrative law or law of international organizations is required. One year of experience in the application of regulations and rules, policies and procedures in an international organization is required. Experience in providing direct legal advice to clients on operational matters and dealing with United Nations or other intergovernmental organization policies, procedures and operations and in commercial and/or contract law, is required. A license to practice law in a national jurisdiction is desirable. LanguagesFor this post, fluency in both English and French language, with excellent drafting skills is required. Working knowledge of another UN official language (such As Spanish) is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThe appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension is subject of the funds availability and satisfactory performance. The UNCCD is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNCCD recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. UNCCD is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. 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.