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: The Judicial Affairs Officer will support the Team of Expert in ensuring that the Team’s efforts complement and reinforce DPO’s work in relation to sexual violence in conflict and coordinate with relevant DPO missions and components. • Provides expert advice regarding international human rights, humanitarian law, comparative law and transitional justice. • Deploys to conflict and post-conflict countries experiencing sexual violence to provide technical support as required. • Contributes to the development of the rule of law strategic plans and policymaking frameworks, and assists in the day-to-day coordination of key activities with UN and non-UN partners. • Implements legal and judicial programmes of the TOE and advises on the legal framework, institutional reform of the judiciary, prosecutions and law enforcement, and legal representation or aid, particularly relating to conflict-related sexual violence. • Takes the lead in conducting programme activities on accountability for conflict-related sexual violence including advising and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating and organizing workshops and consultations, supporting national criminal justice system organization, training of national actors and/or monitoring of the court and legal systems. • Advises on and prepares code cables and any official communication pertaining to conflict-related sexual violence as well as complex legal research and analysis and outputs, such as TOE reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines, briefings, etc. • Participates in legislative reviews and drafts commentaries and other relevant documents, particularly those relating to conflict-related sexual violence. • Represents the TOE and serves on various standing boards and committees, as required. • Supports and participates in coordination, planning and/or reform processes, and donor coordination, to include supporting the completion of major reviews of the justice sector and the development of long-term strategic plans. • 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. • Takes the lead in identifying, establishing and maintaining contacts and partnerships with other actors (national and international) on conflict-related sexual violence with a view to pursuing work programme objectives and ensuring participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of judicial affairs activities. • 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, managing and evaluating staff performance, interviewing and evaluating candidates. • Advance gender balance and geographical diversity in all aspects of work. • Supports the implementation of formal commitments made to the United Nations through the SRSG-SVC by parties to conflict. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of TOE’s mandate and strategic direction and ability to develop and direct viable programme/projects reflective of these goals. Knowledge of judicial and legal system issues, including knowledge of international criminal law, humanitarian law, and human rights law and relevant international human rights standards and their relationship and linkages to the broader developmental/post-conflict recovery framework and initiatives. Substantial and diverse experience in all facets of the job. Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives. Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in preparing a variety of written documents. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to identify and articulate issues that require a coordinated UN response, judgment in applying technical expertise to a wide range of complex and unusual problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to judicial affairs; women, peace and security; protection of civilians; and conflict-related sexual violence and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Ability to work under extreme 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 degree) in law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in rule of law is required. At least one year of experience providing technical assistance for the development or reform of legal and judicial institutions in relation to sexual violence in a conflict, transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting is desirable. Experience working on the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the United Nations common system or other comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in or in support of a field operation of an international level 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 official United Nations 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 until 4 January 2026, 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.