Result of Service• Hands-on legal analysis on statutory, intergovernmental, and governance implications of integration with UNODC. • Report on host-country and headquarters implications, including analysis of dual HQ scenarios. • Recommendations on human resources and fellowship modalities in a merged situation. • Scenario analysis on organizational structure and reporting lines options. • Presentations/briefings to UNICRI leadership and the Board of Trustees, as required. Work LocationHome-based (remote work) Expected durationup to a max. of 20 working days within the period February - December 2026 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI' s goals are: • to advance understanding of crime-related problems; • to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems; • to support the respect of international instruments and other standards; • to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance. In the context of the UN80 initiative, UNICRI is currently engaged in institutional discussions regarding a potential integration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). These discussions carry significant legal, governance, political and administrative implications, particularly in relation to UNICRI’s Statute, its status as a UN autonomous institution, its host-country agreements with the Government of Italy, and its governance arrangements through the Board of Trustees. Given the complexity of the potential integration scenarios, UNICRI requires high‑level legal expertise to assess the full range of implications and to support evidence‑based decision‑making by senior leadership and its governing Board of Trustees (BOT). Under the overall supervision of the Acting Director, the Senior Legal Advisor will be required to perform the following tasks: • Clarify the legal implications of various integration models for UNICRI’s Statute, governance, and institutional identity. • Assess the consequences for host country agreements, privileges and immunities, and Italy’s role as a headquarters location. • Provide legal guidance on staff contract transitions, fellowship modalities, and administrative frameworks. • Outline required intergovernmental processes, including potential actions by the General Assembly, ECOSOC or CCPCJ • Propose legally viable models for reporting lines, organizational structure, and headquarters configuration. • Assist with legal advice and guidance on any further upcoming issue related to UNICRI´s UN80 initiative involvement. Qualifications/special skillsA PhD in international law, public law, or a related field is required. At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in international law and United Nations (UN) institutional law is required. Demonstrated experience with UN statutes, intergovernmental processes, and host country agreements is required. Experience advising on organizational restructuring, governance reforms, or institutional integration within the UN system or comparable international organizations is required. Experience with privileges and immunities, and UN staff regulations is required. LanguagesProficiency in English (oral and written fluency) is required for this assignment. Additional InformationNot available. 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.