United Nations Support Office in Somalia Legal Officer Jobs in Kenya

United Nations Support Office in Somalia Legal Officer Jobs in Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) based in Nairobi. The incumbent will report directly to the Senior Legal Officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary General/ Legal Affairs Unit.

The incumbent provides timely and effective legal expertise and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the Mission’s mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law.

S/he suggests effective approaches to legal issues, and innovative solutions to legal problems/issues that arise in the Mission. S/he also contributes to the development of policy, directives, guidelines and best practices in the Mission. The Legal Officer also provides supervision, guidance and mentoring to more junior legal officers.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will perform the following duties:

• Assists in preparation of or provides legal opinions and advice on a wide range of legal issues affecting the United Nations Mission's mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, and in particular on the identification, interpretation and application of constitutional and other national laws, legislative instruments, court procedures and local legal protocols and practices as they affect the Mission or the mandate.

• Provides or assists in the provision of advice on the interpretation of the Mission's mandate, the legal status of the Mission and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Status of Forces/Status of Mission Agreements; on legal aspects of the Mission's operational activities, including the Mission's rules of engagement and directives on the use of force and related guidelines, matters relating to international law, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law and the protection of civilians, as appropriate; on administrative, personnel and contractual matters, including issues relating to the accountability of personnel, procurement matters, third party claims, as well as legal questions involving the interpretation or application of UN regulations and rules.

• S/he will undertake research and prepare Legal opinions, draft agreements, institutional and operational modalities, contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and assists and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes.

• Will review documentation and assist in preparation of responses to Management Evaluation Unit applications, United Nations Dispute Tribunal and United Nations Appeals Tribunal cases as may be assigned.

• Assists in maintaining effective coordination and working relations with national authorities, including Government representatives, local tribunals, public entities and agencies, and participates at meetings, discussions and negotiations with such local entities and individuals as required.

• Participates at meetings and discussions with other Mission offices, other UN agencies funds and programmes, and may participate in administrative Committees, including in relation to the procurement process, claims and property management, and on ad hoc working groups, task forces and training activities, as assigned by the Chief of Legal Affairs Unit.

• Conducts legal research and analysis using multiple research sources, applies the organizations guidance including Staff regulations and rules and Financial regulations and rules and prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions, studies, briefs, background papers, reports, and correspondence.

• May from time to time, upon request by the Senior Legal Officer, be required to work from other offices of the mission, some of which may be located outside of Kenya, as the requirements of mission mandate operations may demand.

• May supervise, or provide guidance to more junior Legal Officers and staff

• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism

Thorough knowledge of and application of relevant operational, administrative and protocol policies to ensure adherence to relevant guidelines and procedures and overall quality of outputs; Proven tact and discretion in dealing with highly confidential and sensitive matters, as well as excellent interpersonal skills; Demonstrated initiative and ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given.

Teamwork

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate; Amounts of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Client Orientation

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law or relevant specialized field of law. A first level university degree in law combination with relevant qualifying experience in law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.

Experience working in a legal office in peacekeeping missions and related international organizations in conflict or post-conflict settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; United Nations Support Office in Somalia Legal Officer Jobs in Kenya

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