Legal Specialists - 6 months (5 positions), Multiple positions

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

This position will report to a Legal Advisor of the Legal Group, under the overall supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and Director of the Legal Group.

The primary responsibilities of the Legal Specialist will be to provide legal advice on commercial, institutional and human resources legal matters under the purview of the Legal Group, including, but  not limited to reviewing and drafting legal documents, assisting in the resolution of claims and disputes, advising on the organization’s privileges and immunities, advising on the interpretation and application of UNOPS’ legal framework, etc. The position will give exposure to a wide variety of types of work overseen by the Legal Group.

The main duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will be to assist the Legal Advisor on the following areas as they come within the mandate of the UNOPS Legal Group: 

A- Support to policy development and implementation

• Advise internal clients on the interpretation and application of UNOPS legal framework

• Provide legal input to inform development and updates to the UNOPS legal framework

B- Legal Advisory Services

• Advise internal clients on issues of public and private international law, and commercial law 

• Draft, review, and negotiate legal agreements and instruments

C- Claims and Disputes

• Providing legal advice and representation to internal clients in the context of dispute settlement negotiations, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. 

D- Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Contributing to the ongoing development of the Legal Group’s Knowledge Management resources. 

• Preparing guidance notes to legal advisors, internal clients on legal topics

• Delivering legal training modules to legal advisors and internal clients

Education:

• Completion of an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law with at least 5 years of relevant experience. An additional 2 years of legal professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Satisfaction of all requirements to practice law in a national jurisdiction of a UN Member State. 

Experience: 

• Relevant experience is defined as experience as a lawyer/counsel in commercial or international law, including legal analysis, legal advice, legal research and drafting of legal texts.

• Legal experience at the UN is highly desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.    

• Knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.