Legal Advisor - Commercial Law

Job categories Legal

Vacancy code VA/2025/B0040/29498

Level ICS-11

Department/office CRP, LG, Legal Group

Duty station Multiple

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level P4

Duration One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

Application period 06-Jan-2025 to 27-Jan-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Job-specific

The Legal Group (LG)

LG advises UNOPS management, project offices, regional offices and other specialized units within UNOPS on institutional, commercial, and administrative law matters. Legal Advisors at UNOPS provide legal advice in the areas of public international law, dispute resolution, commercial law and administrative law.

This legal advice spans various topics, including host-country agreements, privileges and immunities, disputes with external parties, administrative/HR law, partnership agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and the establishment of hosted initiatives, joint programs, and multi-donor trust funds. It also involves working with outside counsel, pro bono law firms, and the UN Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) as needed.

About the Role

The Legal Advisor, Commercial has the primary responsibility of leading a team of commercial lawyers in providing regional support in a timely, efficient and solution driven manner, thereby protecting the organization against financial and reputational risks.

Reporting into the Senior Legal Advisor, Commercial, the Legal Advisor exercises their accountabilities with designated authority provided by the Senior Legal Advisor, Commercial and in accordance with the instructions established by the Senior Legal Advisor, Commercial.

The Legal Advisor, Commercial demonstrates a good understanding of the operational context in which UNOPS operates and is charged with cultivating an inclusive, high-performing team of commercial lawyers which enables UNOPS to fulfil its mission.

The Legal Advisor, Commercial, is a good communicator, open to challenges, and versed in handling complex legal issues in a fast-paced work environment. Because of their analytical and strategic skills, they are able to propose and implement effective strategies for resolving and/ or handling complex issues while driving for fit-for-purpose solutions.

The Legal Advisor, Commercial, builds and maintains effective relationships with the management teams of country and regional offices as well as HQ stakeholder functions. They work closely with other legal advisors, policy units and specialized teams within UNOPS to ensure timely, accurate and solution-oriented legal advice in connection with commercial matters.

The Legal Advisor, Commercial is expected to travel from time to time.

*** There will be flexibility in the Duty Station as it can be in Panama City (UNOPS Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office) or another country in the Latin America and the Caribbean region where UNOPS has a presence: Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results expected: 1. Legal Advice and Represent...

Summary of key results expected:

1. Legal Advice and Representation

2. Business Efficiency

3. Team Management

4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

1. Legal Advice and Representation

Advise on commercial matters under LG’s purview, including review and negotiation of legal agreements, interpretation and development of the UNOPS legal framework. • Lead a team of commercial lawyers to undertake reviews and provide advice to country offices on new projects (engagements) and amendments concerning project viability, risk exposure, legal arrangements and controls.
Provide legal advice and support in relation to partnership and framework or funding agreements, negotiation of model agreements with partners, procurement contract templates and grant agreements.
Provide legal advice and support in relation to hosted initiatives, joint programmes and multi-donor trust funds.
Provide timely advice and support actively finding solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices.
Represent UNOPS in meetings and negotiations with external parties on legal topics, such as negotiations on contracts and agreements.
Oversee and/or coordinate interactions between business units and local legal retainers, external legal counsel and legal advisors from OLA or other UN agencies.

2. Business Efficiency

Recommend changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the country offices.
Ensure transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.
Work closely with other units within UNOPS to address mission-critical issues and find fit-for-purpose solutions and contribute with technical and practical knowledge to the development of strategies to improve efficiency and strengthen internal controls.
Contribute to cross-functional initiatives to ensure that internal policies, procedures, systems and tools are consistent with the overall legal framework, practical, relevant and add value to organizational operations.

3. Team Management

Motivate a team of commercial lawyers to continuously take ownership, innovate and learn by fostering a trusting and supporting work environment.
Assign tasks related to commercial work to lawyers under supervision.
Promote teamwork and collaboration within the team of commercial lawyers by providing clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Provide legal mentorship, coaching, and training to junior legal advisors.

4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

Coordinate the systematic documentation and updating of legal precedents and templates under their areas of expertise.
Contribute to research and coordination within the team and across the organization.
Provide structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.
Keep abreast of internal and external developments and best practices.
Provide training on commercial matters to internal colleagues.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law i...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff Contract level: P4 Contract duration: Fixed-term...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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APPLICATION TIPS

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TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing 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.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.