Legal Specialist, Dispute Resolution

Job categories Legal

Vacancy code VA/2025/B0040/30872

Level ICS-10

Department/office CRP, LG, Legal Group

Duty station Multiple

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level P3

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

Application period 17-Oct-2025 to 02-Nov-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.

This vacancy is closed.

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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.

The Dispute Resolution Practice within the LG is responsible for providing in-house legal services in relation to commercial disputes involving UNOPS.

About the Role

The Legal Specialist is a member of LG’s Dispute Resolution Practice and reports to the Legal Advisor, Dispute Resolution. S/he plays a key role in contributing to the Practice’s work activities in providing timely and efficient dispute resolution advice in the context of UNOPS projects around the world to protect the organization from financial and reputational risks. The Legal Specialist may also be required to provide other legal advice under the responsibility of LG as needed, including in connection with administrative, institutional and commercial law matters.

The Legal Specialist is a good communicator, open to challenges, and versed in handling complex legal issues in a fast-paced work environment.

The Legal Specialist works closely with UNOPS country and regional offices as well as policy units and other specialized teams within UNOPS that support UNOPS activities, which requires a good understanding of the diverse environment in which UNOPS operates.

Reporting to the Legal Advisor, Dispute Resolution, the Legal Specialist exercises their accountabilities with designated authority provided by the General Counsel and in accordance with the instructions established by the General Counsel.

The Legal Specialist is expected to identify and escalate complex and high risk matters to the Legal Advisor, Dispute Resolution.

The Legal Specialist is expected to travel from time to time

*** There will be flexibility in the Duty Station as it can be in Copenhagen (Denmark), 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, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results: Provide Dispute Resolution Advice ...

Summary of key results:

Provide Dispute Resolution Advice

Provide Other Support to UNOPS Operations

Contribute to Business Efficiency

Contribute to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

1. Provide Dispute Resolution Advice

Provide legal advice in connection with disputes between UNOPS and external parties arising from commercial contracts, with a focus on protecting the organization from financial and reputational risks.
Represent UNOPS in settlement negotiations, mediations, conciliations and arbitration proceedings, with the support of outside counsel as needed.
Provide other dispute resolution support as needed.

2. Provide Other Support to UNOPS Operations

Advise on UN privileges and immunities.
Review and negotiate legal agreements.
Support the application, interpretation, adoption and development of corporate policies, guidelines and best practices.
Provide other legal advice falling under the responsibilities of LG as needed

3. Contribute to Business Efficiency

Support regular reporting on UNOPS’ liability risk and maintain overviews and databases of disputes handled by LG for audit and record keeping purposes.
Support ongoing analyses of LG-related data to identify risks, opportunities and trends.
Work closely with other legal advisors and relevant policy units within UNOPS to address country and project challenges aiming at finding suitable and timely solutions.
Support the development and improvement of the UNOPS regulatory framework.
Support corporate and cross-functional initiatives and contribute to ensure that internal policies, processes and systems are aligned with the overall regulatory framework, and are practical, relevant and add value to organizational operations.

4. Contribute to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

Contribute to legal knowledge and information management within LG and across the organization.
Support in maintaining and actively sharing knowledge and information about dispute resolution and other related legal matters within LG so that it can be easily disseminated to relevant stakeholders throughout the organization.
Keep abreast of internal and external developments and best practices.

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...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff Contract level: P3 Contract duration: One year initially, r...

This vacancy is closed.

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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.