Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. For a dedicated legal team of highly qualified professionals we are looking for a solid advisor and leader with strong and sound legal background and politically savvy, with excellent communication and negotiation skills. If you are passionate about contributing to the role and making a difference for Palestine refugees, then UNRWA would like to hear from you. As Director of Legal Affairs you will provide leadership in managing all aspects of UNRWA’s legal issues and serve as an authoritative advisor on all such matters to the Executive Office. This post develops, promotes and implements a coherent Agency-wide legal strategy and policies. In particular, the post ensures the integration of the legal function in all aspects of the Agency’s strategic, policy, programmatic and protection activities and ensures the consistent interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework and international law throughout the Agency. The post also leads the programme of work and management of the Legal Affairs Department and provides strategic and technical leadership for the Agency’s lawyers, with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice. The Director of Legal Affairs reports to the Commissioner-General through the Deputy Commissioner-General (Operational Support) for day to day matters.

Responsibilities

Leads and oversees the development and implementation of a coherent Agency-wide legal strategy and policies; in particular, ensures the integration of the legal function in all aspects of the Agency’s strategic, policy, programmatic and protection activities; analyzes legal risks facing the Agency and proposes measures to minimize them; ensures the consistent interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework and international law throughout the Agency. Directs the programme of work and management of the human and financial resources of the Department of Legal Affairs and provides strategic and technical leadership to the Agency’s lawyers, with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice. Leads and oversees the provision of legal input into the development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy relating to all areas of UNRWA operations, including through direct advice to the Executive Office; establishes and maintains relations with representatives of host and other governments, the UN Office of Legal Affairs, UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNSCO and other entities with respect to issues of legal concern; provides strategic, technical and legal advice in support of the Agency’s protection function. Advises on the interpretation, application and enforcement of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including General Assembly resolutions, Staff and Financial Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, Organizational Directives, Technical Instructions and Manuals. Provides advice and training on relevant public international law, including UN law, and international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. Provides and oversees the provision of legal advice, training, outreach and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment law issues; in particular, advises on investigations and disciplinary matters, provides strategic leadership for the Agency’s submissions to the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and UN Appeals Tribunal, and appears before the Tribunals as required. Directs the review and reform of drafts, templates and general conditions for all types of Agency contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, memoranda of understanding with partners and funding agreements. As a member of the Agency’s Senior Management team, the incumbent may have specific responsibilities related to internal governance structures, as established by the Executive Office.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Planning and Organizing Leading and Supervising Analyzing Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Formulating Strategies and Concepts For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law with specialization in international law, preferably also with some specialization in contract law, commercial law, administrative law or employment law. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying International law experience at managerial/ supervisory level may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least fifteen years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO, with a focus on public international law is required. At least seven years of professional experience at managerial/ supervisory level is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law with specialization in international law, preferably also with some specialization in contract law, commercial law, administrative law or employment law. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying International law experience at managerial/ supervisory level may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required. Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is desirable Familiarity with UN Common System practices is desirable. Knowledge of the history and contemporary problems of the Middle East is desirable. Working knowledge of written and spoken Arabic is desirable. Litigation experience as well as experience of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of written and spoken Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. This post is re-opened to expand the applicant pool. Candidates who applied need not re-apply. The incumbent is required to travel frequently, particularly in the Agency’s area of operations. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, 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. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work 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 RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.