Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and will serve as a member of the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict (TOE). The incumbent will report to the Team Leader of the TOE.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties. • Contributes to the development and implementation of key component(s) of the approved programme, including the overall strategy and policy framework related to the rule of law and the development/reform of the legal and judicial systems as they relate to conflict-related sexual violence. • Advises and mentors national partners on the implementation of rule of law related provisions of formal commitments on addressing conflict-related sexual violence made to the United Nations through the SRSG-SVC by parties to conflict, including the investigation and prosecution of military/civilian criminal offences, court management and other civilian/military judicial system issues with a view to promoting international standards and building capacity, as well as ensuring effective case management. • Serves as liaison between national authorities and potential partners, including the provision of technical and operational assistance in programme development and implementation. • Advises national and international partners on the design, organization and delivery of training programs and projects, including sustainable training strategies. • Ensures effective knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for, and inclusion of, local actors in all judicial and legal system initiatives. • Provides technical and operational support in implementing workshops, seminars, outreach programmes and other related activities. • Advises on and prepares extensive research and analysis of international human rights law, humanitarian law, criminal law and transitional justice, including comparative legal, operational or procedural questions; prepares or assists in the preparation of a variety of written outputs. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of administrative and policy outputs such as reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines, and participates in legislative or policy reviews and drafts/reviews specialized commentaries and analyses. • Performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the TOE including contributing to the preparation of budgets, developing funding requests, reporting on performance and results, evaluating staff performance, interviewing and evaluating candidates. • Fosters coordination and maintains close working relationships with relevant mission components (e.g. corrections, human rights, political affairs, policy, gender, child protection, etc.), UN agencies and other international and national partners. • Provides guidance to more junior staff. • Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts and other staff from all relevant components of the mission, as well as UN specialized agencies, funds and programmes. Legal professionals and civil society representatives; counterparts in relevant government ministries, parliament, the courts, associations, law schools, women’s groups, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, diplomatic missions, donors, the media, consultants, etc. Results Expected: Delivers sound analytical and technical inputs and advice that contribute to improving and advancing the TOE’s mandate, in accordance with applicable policies, rules and practices. Provides independent, accurate and comprehensive research on diverse issues. Takes action to identify issues/problems and develops creative approaches to problem resolution. Provides timely delivery of assigned outputs, including carefully conceived, well written studies, recommendations, and other written products. Effectively interacts with diverse groups involved in addressing conflict-related sexual violence, judicial affairs and related activities being performed.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the TOE’s mandate and strategic direction. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to judicial affairs; women, peace and security; protection of civilians; and conflict-related sexual violence. Demonstrated understanding of a range of issues related to judicial, prosecutorial and legal systems, reform, capacity building, etc. Knowledge of international criminal law, humanitarian law, human rights law and relevant international human rights standards, etc. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on judicial affairs initiatives in assigned country/area. Ability to work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). 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 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 combination with two additional years of qualifying experience or legal experience in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, consultant or advisor in the field of justice / rule of law is required. A minimum of one year of progressively responsible experience on strengthening judicial and legal systems to address international and transnational crimes, including sexual violence is required. One year of progressively responsible experience working in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required. Experience in programme/project management in rule of law is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or a similar international organization 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 desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 364 days, subject to the availability of funds. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. While this temporary job opening 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4 Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. In accordance with ST/AI/1999/17 section 2.3, an SPA may only be granted to one level higher than the personal level of the staff member assigned to higher-level functions in his or her own category, whether the higher-level functions are one or several levels higher than the personal level of the staff member. Staff in the General Service and related categories temporarily placed against a post at the Professional level may receive an SPA to the P-1 or P-2 level. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. 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 Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.

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.