Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. This position is located within the Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs Section (CPLA) of UNOOSA in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent reports to the Chief of CPLA as the first reporting officer (FRO) and the Director of UNOOSA as the second reporting officer (SRO). For more information on UNOOSA, please visit: www.unoosa.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Associate Programme Officer (Space Law), will be contributing to the planning and implementing of the activities under the project Space Law for New Space Actors to provide technical legal assistance to emerging space faring nations in order to draft their national space law and policy. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Contribute to the further development of the project Space Law for New Space Actors. Explore and update trends of capacity-building in space law and policy. • Contribute to identifying cost-effective ways and means to increase beneficiaries of the project and developing proposals for respective deliverables. • Participate in fundraising activities, identify prospective donors and liaise with the same to build partnerships under the project. Substsantively support the preparation and signing of any required legal and funding agreements under the project with Legal Officers by coordinating with relevant services of UNOOSA and the donor/requesting country. Implement the activities under the project, including advocacy, outreach and awareness raising, and coordinating, preparing and delivering training courses and workshops. • Assist in organizing and coordinating arrangements, as well as participate in technical advisory missions, including delivering presentations on space law and policy related topics/activities. • Support the administration and management of the project, by preparing budget plans and draft cost plans, monitoring and reporting on the status of implementation, including the utilization of funds. • Contribute to liaising with donors and other stakeholders of the project, prepare post mission and workshops deliverables and outcome reports, including substantive and financial reports for the donors. • Carry out research and studies on a range of legal and political issues relating to outer space activities. Collect, review, analyse and present data, documents and other information on space law and policy. • Contribute to the preparation and review of a variety of written outputs, such as background documents, training course materials, presentations, policy proposals, legal documents and instruments, etc. • Prepare inputs for publications, draft speeches, legal statements and presentations related to the project for use by the Director and other senior officers. • Provide substantive inputs on matters related to the ratification and implementation of treaties as well as the implementation of guidelines; Assist in the review of relevant legal documents, instruments, or other material; identify important issues, similarities and inconsistencies. Compile background information and documentation on the implementation of resolutions, international treaties; Monitor national situations, conduct research and prepare studies on overall responsible national space activities situation of requesting countries or regions. • Liaise with relevant parties, counterparts and stakeholders in house and externally, in building strategic partnerships and fostering collaboration. • Assist in the recruitment of project personnel, draft reports and terms of references/job descriptions. • Assist in the identification of procurement needs (goods and services) and support the full procurement cycle of various options. • As required, guide and support staff members, project personnel, interns, non-reimbursable loan and Junior Professional Officers in their work. • Contribute to and participate in other meetings and conferences that are related to space law and policy and are organized by UNOOSA. • Backstop substantive needs for the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, the Legal Subcommittee and their subsidiary bodies, as necessary. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties, as may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of the United Nations Member State cooperation environment on space affairs and technical activities. Has knowledge of business development and partnership building. Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international space law and policy. Has knowledge of policies and practices in national space activities as well as the mandates of UNOOSA. Has conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis on a wide range of relevant topics in the area of space law and policy. Is able to use various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Is able to interpret, develop and present results and formulate conclusions, recommendations and opinions clearly and concisely. Is able to develop tailor-made capacity-building courses. Has ability to deliver training courses and presentation on space law and policy related field as well as design training modules and interactive sessions. Has knowledge of administrative, budgetary and financial policies and procedures. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Has the ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. • 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; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • 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; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, international law or related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Specialization in a field relevant to international space law and policy is desirable. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination/United Nations National competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible work experience in project or programme management and administration or the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience in implementing activities in a space-related field is required. Work experience in engaging with international partners and donors supporting the development of international partnerships, including fundraising is desirable. Work experience in international law and policy, including legal analysis, research and writing, is desirable. Work experience in organizing, developing, and delivering capacity-building and training courses on space law and policy to developing countries is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This temporary position is currently available for 6 months. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment are subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.