Senior Legal Officer at United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

The position is located in the Office of Administration of Justice, in the registry supporting the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) in Nairobi. The incumbent reports to the Principal Registrar.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Principal Registrar, without prejudice to the authority of the judges of the UNDT concerning judicial matters, and within delegated authority, the Registrar will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide substantive, technical and administrative support to the judges of the UNDT;
• Maintain the UNDT's registers (electronic and online), and ensure the publication and dissemination of the decisions, rulings and judgments rendered by the UNDT Nairobi, in the required official languages, through the agreed media;
• Maintain the UNDT's case law, digests and jurisprudence database in coordination with the other two registrars;
• Provide inputs for reports on the work of the registry;
• Manage and administer the human, financial and other resources allocated to the Nairobi registry, as required;
• Analyze implications of emerging issues in the Registries and make recommendations on possible strategies and measures;
• Advise the Principal Registrar on administrative, personnel and logistical matters related to the registry's operational activities;
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative and employment law in a domestic or international setting; knowledge of judicial procedures, preferably in the United Nations or other international public organization; understanding of judicial independence; discretion and sound judgement in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex, legal and administrative issues; ability to review and edit the work of Registry staff and manage the functioning of an office and its staff members; knowledge of United Nations regulations and rules, policies, procedures and operations or those of a similar international organization; strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, critically review documents and make recommendations. Shows pride in work and 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 complex problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all work areas.
• Planning & 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates,
• provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managerial competencies:

• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.
• Judgment / Decision Making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in international or administrative law. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in law including legal analysis, research and writing, is required.
• Experience in administrative and employment law is desirable.
• Experience in legal work in litigation is desirable.
• A minimum of three years' experience in managing teams is desirable.