Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in the Office of the Police Commissioner. The incumbent reports to the Police Commissioner.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Police Commissioner, in coordination with the Senior Legal Adviser, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

– Assists in the preparation of or provide legal opinions and advice on a wide range of issues related to constitutional, international, public, administrative and criminal (substantive, procedural and comparative) law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing MINUSCA’s mandate, particularly as it applies to urgent temporary measures and the protection of civilians;
– Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare various studies, legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence.
– Within the mandated tasks supports implementation of National Police and Gendarmerie Development Plan through undertaking basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. in close consultation with the Ministry of Interior, and National Police and Gendarmerie executive leadership.
– Provide legal advice on warrants of arrest, indictments or legal motions/submissions in close consultation with MINUSCA justice and corrections and other relevant mission components.
– Provide legal support and assistance to the UN Police in advising on National Police’s and Gendarmerie’s operational activities, including adherence to the criminal proceeding, development and capacity building aspects.
– Provide legal advice on human resources matters; reviews administrative matters in support of National Police and Gendarmerie human resource development.
– Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of law enforcement and criminal investigation, as well as agreements and contracts with local government, NGOs and other public and private entities.
– Assist UN Police Component Leadership in the preparation of background materials for meetings, summaries of issues and views, meeting reports, etc.
– May supervise or provide guidance to more junior staff.
– Performs other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and court submissions. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in 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 difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 

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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Graduation from a certified police academy or other law enforcement training institution is desirable. Experience.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in international and criminal law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Experience related to policing, security sector reform and restructuring, as well as institutional development in the context of peacekeeping operations is desirable. At least two years of experience in the legal office of a peacekeeping mission is an advantage. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of English is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
– Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
– An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. All staff of the Ethics Office are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter. 
– This vacancy is subject to availability of post. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
– These posts are financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval. 
– This position is vacant due to the temporary assignment/secondment of the regular incumbent to another office/organization. The selection and extension of appointment of the selected candidate will be contingent on the return of the incumbent who maintains a lien against this post. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.
-The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat. On the basis of that MoU and in light of the status of the UNJSPF, it was decided that staff members applying to posts at the P-5 level in the UNJSPF are exceptionally not subject to the lateral move requirement for purposes of eligibility. However, selected candidates who do not meet the lateral move requirements will be granted appointments strictly limited to service with the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE 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.