Details
UNDP Legal Specialist | Paid Internship || Apply Now
Under the overall supervision of the General Counsel and Director of BMS/OLS and to the Deputy Director of BMS/OLS as second-level supervisor, and reporting directly to the Senior Legal Adviser and Head of AL, the Legal Specialist provides support to UNDP senior management, Headquarters, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices, as appropriate, in the Administrative Law practice area.
Duties and Responsibilities of Legal Specialist
1) Legal advice, guidance and counsel on the rights and obligations of staff, including by:
- Providing legal advice to management of UNDP, as well as UNV, UNCDF and other UN system organizations as relevant, both at Headquarters and in the field.
- Providing legal advice on the interpretation of the Staff Regulations and Rules, as well as UNDP policies and procedures, including in relation to staff status, benefits and entitlements and legal obligations to UNDP.
- Providing legal advice on policies related to staff conduct, investigations and the disciplinary process.
- Acting on behalf of UNDP in negotiating agreements with staff members and UN Volunteers to resolve disputes.
2) Legal advice to respond and handle requests for management evaluation, including by:
- Drafting proposed replies to requests for management evaluation and providing related advice to management.
- Engaging in informal resolution, including settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required, with opposing counsel and/or the Office of the Ombudsman for the Funds and Programmes.
3) Legal advice, guidance and counsel on the privileges and immunities applicable to staff, including by:
- Providing legal advice to management on the legal status of staff members, such as in relation to taxation, subpoena, and arrest and detention of UN Officials.
- Guiding in the preparation of Notes Verbale related to the privileges and immunities of staff members and UN Volunteers.
- Coordinating with the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) in the UN Secretariat to ensure consistent application of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
4) Represent UNDP in litigation before the UN Dispute Tribunal by:
- Drafting submissions in appeals before the UN Dispute Tribunal, including with respect to motions, requests for suspension of action, reply briefs and closing submissions.
- Representing UNDP in cases including in case management conferences and oral hearings. Doing so includes presentations to the Judge, introduction of evidence for admission to the hearing and examination and cross-examination of witnesses.
- Engaging with opposing legal counsel, including in respect to discussions to amicably resolve matters.
- Supporting OLA in appeals before the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in cases that UNDP litigated before the UN Dispute Tribunal, as appropriate.
5) Legal advice, guidance and counsel on matters related to investigations and disciplinary processes, including by:
- Providing legal advice on issues arising in the context of investigations into allegations of misconduct by staff, including on interim measures such as administrative leave with or without pay.
- Reviewing and providing legal advice to management on investigation reports, including by recommending to management whether to initiate the disciplinary process.
- Drafting documents relevant to the investigation and disciplinary process, including Charge Letters, Decision Letters recommending disciplinary measures or appropriate administrative action.
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Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in Law from a recognized university, OR
- A first level degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Law from a recognized university, in combination with additional two years of qualifying relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant practical experience in the practice of law in a law firm, a government and/or international organization’s legal office, is required.
- Understanding of, and experience with, the United Nations system, is an asset.
- Practical and progressive experience in handling cases involving allegations of misconduct and appeals against administrative decisions is required.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints, and the ability to understand and manage priorities, is required.
- Experience in research, legal writing and drafting documents are required.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and proven focus on client service, are required.
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is required.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English language is required.
- Fluency in French is an asset.
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Specifications
| Type of Opportunity | Internships |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 30 August,2024 |
| Country | USA |
| City | New York |
| Organizer | UNDP |