Job Overview
Legal Specialist UN Women NYC: Legal Specialist (New York, United States
Are you a highly skilled legal professional passionately committed to human rights and gender equality? Indeed, UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, now actively seeks a dedicated Legal Specialist UN Women NYC. This pivotal role sits at UN Women HQ in New York, United States. Ultimately, you’ll provide high-quality legal advice across a wide range of multidisciplinary matters. Therefore, your expertise will directly contribute to our global mission.
About UN Women & the Legal Office
UN Women grounds its vision in the equality enshrined in the Charter of the Nations. Our mission actively focuses on eliminating discrimination against women and girls. Furthermore, we diligently work for women’s empowerment and strive for equality between women and men. We view them as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security. Consequently, our work touches many vital areas.
The UN Women Legal Office provides essential legal advice and support. We assist the Executive Director, senior management, HQ units, and country offices. Specifically, our expertise covers international, public, private, and administrative law. This includes:
- Legal status, authorities, privileges and immunities, and relationships with UN Women Governing Bodies, Programme Country, and Partner Governments.
- Corporate, commercial, and private law matters. For instance, we actively provide legal support to the Organization’s financial and procurement operations.
- Administrative law matters directly relating to staff members. Consequently, this includes legal support for human resources management issues. Thus, the scope is broad.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Legal Office, the Legal Specialist UN Women NYC provides critical legal advice. This support extends to UN Women management, HQ units, regional, sub-regional, and country offices, as required. Ultimately, you will ensure legal compliance and strategic guidance.
Remote Legal Specialist
Key Functions and Accountabilities
As a Legal Specialist UN Women NYC, you’ll perform crucial functions within the Legal Office. Specifically, your responsibilities will span several key areas. Therefore, expect a diverse workload.
1. Provide Legal Advice on Human Resources Management:
- You’ll provide legal advice to UN Women senior management, headquarters units, and country offices. Focus on applying Staff Regulations, Rules, and internal justice system procedures. Furthermore, cover other relevant aspects of human resources management, including administrative and disciplinary matters. Consequently, you’ll guide critical HR decisions.
- You’ll offer expert advice and support to management as required. This concerns matters like Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), protection from harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Also, keep abreast of relevant developments within the organization. Crucially, you’ll assist in enforcing UN Women’s zero-tolerance approach to violations. Indeed, your role champions accountability.
2. Provide Technical Support for Investigations, Disciplinary Matters, and Criminal Accountability:
- You’ll directly handle analysis and review of investigation reports. Subsequently, you’ll recommend appropriate action under UN Women’s Legal Framework. Thus, you’ll shape outcomes.
- You’ll provide technical support in processing cases the investigation service refers for management action. You’ll review such cases carefully. Ensure administration and application of due process requirements and internal policies. You’ll work with Independent Evaluation, Audit and Investigation Services (IEAIS) and HR. You’ll advise on appropriate resolution, in accordance with established staff regulations, rules, policies, and procedures. Therefore, your guidance will be indispensable.
- You’ll provide legal support to IEAIS in achieving its mandate, further to IEAIS’ Charter. This applies particularly to investigation matters IEAIS handles internally, in accordance with UN Women’s Legal Framework. You’ll liaise with UN/OLA regarding cases involving possible criminal conduct by UN Women officials, experts on mission, or third parties. This is for possible referrals to national authorities of appropriate Member States. Also, you’ll coordinate on investigations and proceedings relating to UN Women, as Member States conduct. Consequently, you’ll navigate complex legal processes.
3. Prepare Written Responses to Management Evaluation Requests and UNDT Applications:
- You’ll prepare written responses as required on behalf of the Executive Director. These respond to requests for management evaluation. Furthermore, ensure clarity and precision.
- You’ll prepare written responses and other submissions as required on behalf of the Executive Director. These respond to applications and other submissions filed before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). Therefore, strong drafting skills are absolutely essential.
4. Represent UN Women in UNDT Applications:
- You’ll represent the Secretary-General before the UNDT as necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, direction hearings and hearings on the merits, as requested. Thus, you’ll advocate directly.
- You’ll attend to all stages of proceedings before the UNDT. This includes conducting settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required. Consequently, you’ll manage cases comprehensively.
- You’ll liaise with UN/OLA regarding UNDT cases involving UN Women. This also includes UN/OLA’s representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), in cases involving UN Women, and other administration of justice related issues. Therefore, collaboration is key.
5. Provide Legal Advice and Support for Policy Matters:
- You’ll technically contribute to the review and design of new legal instruments, policy, guidelines, and systems. This is particularly important for HR. Moreover, your input will shape future frameworks.
- Based on experience gained from addressing issues, you’ll identify and advise on areas where systemic or policy changes may be warranted. This aims to strengthen UN Women’s accountability and/or allow operational units to carry out their functions more effectively and efficiently. Ultimately, you’ll drive organizational improvement.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary. This ensures the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. Therefore, this Legal Specialist UN Women NYC contributes broadly and significantly.
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
- Essential: You must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in Law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may serve in lieu of the advanced university degree. Consequently, demonstrate your academic credentials.
Experience:
- Essential: You need at least 5 years of practical experience in the practice of law. This must be with a law firm, a government, and/or an international organization’s legal office. Indeed, extensive practical experience is required for a Legal Specialist UN Women NYC.
- Desirable: Experience with staff regulations and rules, policies, procedures, and operations of the United Nations or other similar international organization proves highly beneficial. Furthermore, it offers a distinct advantage.
- Desirable: Experience in handling disciplinary matters in the context of the United Nations is an asset. Moreover, this specific experience will be valuable.
- Desirable: Experience before a court or tribunal or equivalent administrative board or bodies is desirable. Thus, prior litigation exposure helps.
- Essential: You must have experience using computers and office software packages (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and electronic media applications etc.). Furthermore, experience using relevant software applications, especially information databases, internet/intranet services, and library sources, is also necessary. Consequently, strong technical skills are expected.
Languages:
- Essential: Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Desirable: Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French or Spanish, is beneficial. Therefore, multilingualism is a plus.
Competencies:
- Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity. Indeed, these values underpin our work.
- Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues, Accountability, Creative Problem Solving, Inclusive Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, Leading by Example.
- Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1753316752927
Functional Competencies:
- You must have the ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure. Consequently, you’ll manage demanding situations.
- You’ll need strong skills in drafting a broad range of legal documents under pressure. This includes briefing notes, reports on legal issues, and submissions to courts and tribunals. Therefore, precise written communication is vital.
- You’ll possess strong verbal communication skills. This includes a demonstrated ability to provide oral briefings on complex legal issues to both legal and non-legal audiences. Furthermore, you’ll articulate complex ideas clearly.
- You’ll demonstrate sound negotiation skills. Indeed, this is a critical asset.
- You’ll show client orientation with a constructive approach to problem resolution. Furthermore, dedication to providing timely support is crucial. Ultimately, client satisfaction matters.
- You’ll demonstrate consciousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Thus, a results-oriented approach is expected.
- You’ll exhibit good interpersonal skills and personal maturity. Moreover, you’ll build strong working relationships.
- You’ll possess the ability to work with utmost discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters. Consequently, confidentiality is paramount.
- You’ll have the ability to multi-task, handling a complex workload involving concurrent deadlines. Therefore, strong organizational skills are key.
- You’ll demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team. Indeed, collaboration is fundamental.
- Some understanding of UN Women’s goals and programmes proves beneficial. Furthermore, it enhances your impact.
- You’ll take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives. Also, ensure the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Thus, you’ll actively promote equality.
- You’ll show proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint and electronic media applications. Consequently, technical fluency is required.
Important Information for Applicants:
- Re-Advertised: Those who previously applied remain under consideration; they do not need to re-apply. Therefore, previous applications are still valid.
- Diversity and Inclusion: At UN Women, we commit to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis appropriate law covers. All employment decisions base on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. Ultimately, we champion fair practices.
- If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. Consequently, we will strive to accommodate.
UN Women’s Zero-Tolerance Policy:
- UN Women maintains a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women. This includes sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates must adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct UN Women personnel expect. Therefore, they undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks verify academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may need to provide additional information to conduct a background check.) Indeed, integrity is non-negotiable for a Legal Specialist UN Women NYC.
Application Submission Requirements:
- Applicants must ensure they complete all sections of the application form, including education and employment history sections. If they do not complete all sections, the application may face disqualification from the recruitment and selection process. Consequently, thoroughness is key for your application to be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Legal Specialist UN Women NYC:
Q1: What is the primary role of the Legal Specialist at UN Women? A1: The Legal Specialist UN Women NYC provides high-quality legal advice to UN Women management and offices. This covers HR management, investigations, disciplinary matters, corporate issues, and policy development, ensuring compliance with international and administrative law. Therefore, you’ll play a multifaceted legal role.
Q2: Is this a headquarters-based role? A2: Yes, this position resides at UN Women HQ in New York, United States. It is an in-person role. Consequently, expect to work on-site.
Q3: What are the essential experience requirements for this position? A3: You need a Master’s degree in Law (or a Bachelor’s with 2 extra years of experience) and at least 5 years of practical legal experience. This must come from a law firm, government, or international organization. Indeed, significant legal expertise is crucial for a Legal Specialist UN Women NYC.
Q4: Does this role involve human resources legal matters? A4: Yes, a significant part of this role involves providing legal advice on human resources management. This includes staff regulations, internal justice, disciplinary matters, and protection from harassment and abuse. This is a core function of the Legal Specialist UN Women NYC. Therefore, HR legal experience is highly relevant.
Q5: Will I be involved in court proceedings? A5: Yes, the role involves preparing written responses to management evaluation requests and submissions to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT). You will also represent the Secretary-General before the UNDT as needed. Consequently, direct court exposure is part of the job.
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