Legal Advisor

Under the overall guidance of the Corporate Legal Advisor, the incumbent shall be responsible for the provision of expert advice to internal and external stakeholders, including senior management and external partners. The incumbent must keep a balance between operational implementation efficiencies and policy/rules requirements, but also contribute towards long-term solutions by leading the development and improvement of policies and processes for efficient project implementation.

The incumbent must be able to develop new policies or projects approaches but also assess the quality of deliverables. The incumbent will be required to create opportunities for expanding and developing new client relationships.

The incumbent will undertake a number of core functions, including reviewing UNOPS documents where such advice is required, and managing disputes brought against the organization by contractors and third parties. He/she will be expected to work independently and drive several initiatives with limited supervision.

• Review and draft contracts and agreements, lead negotiations with vendors, clients and other partners;
• Review documents submitted to the Engagement Acceptance Committee as requested by the Corporate Legal Advisor;
• Draft, review and advise on global agreements with new and existing funding sources. Take the lead on negotiations if so requested by the Corporate Legal Advisor;
• Advise on the development and implementation of the framework for delegations of authority, including on the development of related policies and the correct use of such authority by UNOPS personnel;
• Lead the development and improvement of UNOPS legislative framework;
• Lead due diligence processes conducted on prospective partners, devise new tools to address UNOPS’ needs, be proactive in the identification of tools that may facilitate the identification of red flags;
• Review bid protests, liaise with the relevant offices, lead the formulation of responses to bid protestors;
• Handle disputes and claims, devise best strategy on how to handle the dispute in coordination with the Office of Legal Affairs;
• Provide quality input and advice on project proposals;
• Contribute with practical knowledge to the enhancements of practice policy developments.

• Advanced university degree in law (Juris Doctor or Master’s Degree) is required;
• Admission to practice law in any national jurisdiction is required.

• Minimum 7 years of experience negotiating and drafting contracts/agreements.

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is required. 
• Working knowledge of another UN language such as French, Arabic or Spanish is desirable;

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 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 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

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

• 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.
• 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
• 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.