Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centres and Offices as applicable. The Rule of Law Officer typically reports to the Chief Rule of Law or a Senior Officer, depending on the mission structure. The Rule of Law Officer is to lead activities related to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of rule of law programmes, operations and other related activities in the country or region concerned.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Rule of Law Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Supports efforts to strengthen the justice system and related institutions in the Host country by contributing to the development of policies and strategies aimed at reforming the judiciary, prosecution service, corrections institutions and law enforcement agencies and legal representations or aid in conflict and post-conflict settings. • Provides advice to senior management on policies and strategies, assists in national or regional-level programming and handles complex and sensitive issues related to governance, justice, national security, and judicial and security reform as well as related institutions. • Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to various stakeholders within the international community located in the Host country to ensure cohesive and coordinated programme delivery. • Contributes to the development of the rule of law strategic planning and policymaking framework in the context of the entity’s mandate and assist in the day-to-day coordination of key activities with other components (e.g. human rights, political affairs, policy, gender, child protection, etc.) and UN entities. • Takes the lead in conducting programme activities in key thematic areas to include advising and mentoring national counterparts, facilitating and organising workshops and consultations, training of national actors and/or monitoring of the court and legal system, including field offices, if required. • Advises on and prepares complex legal research and analysis and outputs, such as work unit reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines, briefings, etc. • Participates in legislative reviews and drafts commentaries and other relevant documents. • Represents the mission and serves on various standing boards and committees, as required. • Supports and participates in national level 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 national strategic plans. • Directs and manages teams, as required; develops and trains staff under her/his supervision. • Ensures effective knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for, and inclusion of, local actors in all rule of law initiatives. • Takes the lead in identifying, establishing and maintaining contacts and partnerships with national and international actors in assigned areas of responsibility in order to achieve work work programme objectives and ensure participation in and effective integration of ideas in the planning and implementation of rule of law activities. • Performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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. Planning and 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. 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, public administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in any field, with a bar qualification or equivalent, in combination with two additional years of relevant legal experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, criminologist, public administrator working on justice issues, or legal or rule of law adviser is required. At least two years of professional experience developing or implementing rule of law reforms or two years professional experience in an internationalized tribunal is required. At least one year experience as a professional in an international organisation, international development agency/programme, hybrid tribunal, or international non-governmental organisation is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this generic job opening, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French (oral and written) is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations. The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Rule of Law Officer roster at the P-4 level. The entire assessment process takes an average of four months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. 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. 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.

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.