Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in the Governance and Human Rights Unit. The Rule of Law Officer will report to the Head of Unit.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Human Rights Officer, and overall supervision of the Chief of Service, Political Affairs Section, the incumbent 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 in the region. • Reviews and monitors rule of law-related developments in individual countries in West Africa and the Sahel, and at regional level; assesses trends which might affect the political and rule of law situation, including from a gender perspective, prepares analytical reports and background papers on such developments, with a view to provide advice on early warning, political engagement and solutions/possible actions to the mission leadership. • Contributes to the preparation of talking points, reports, code cables, statements, speeches, and other relevant documents, including in the preparation of meetings on rule of law-related matters involving the mission leadership or clusters. • Researches and prepares technical legal and policy guidance to advise mission leadership, and international and national partners on a range of issues relating to the delivery of justice sector services with a view to promoting international standards and supporting reform of national rule of law frameworks. • Serves as liaison between national authorities at technical level, 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 content 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. • Advises on and prepares extensive research and analysis, 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 thematic or analytical 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 work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates. • Fosters coordination and maintains close working relationships across the Section and with relevant mission components (e.g. corrections, human rights, political affairs, policy, gender, child protection, etc.), UN agencies and other international and national partners. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of unit’s mandate and strategic direction. Demonstrated understanding of a range of issues related to judicial, prosecutorial and legal systems, reform, capacity building, etc. Knowledge of criminal law, 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 other relevant 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 (05) years of professional experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, or advisor in the field of justice is required. A minimum of two years of professional experience in a transitional, developmental, or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required. Experience coordinating international or regional efforts to develop legal and judicial institutions in a developmental, transitional or post-conflict setting, outside the applicant’s country of nationality, is required. Experience in a peacekeeping mission with the development of strategies and workplans in the areas of rule of law development and security sector reform in a post-conflict context, including contribution to the rule of law and security sector reform elements of a Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System (CPAS) as well as to results-based budgeting preparation and reporting, is desirable. Experience working in the West African region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.

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.