What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Legal Officer position at United Nations?
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG is, in turn, assisted in this function by the Office of Investment Management (OIM). OIM manages a $95 billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise of global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and commodities. OIM's staff are all based in New York and come from over 40 countries. For more information, please visit OIM's website at https : / / oim.unjspf.org / .] This position is located in the Legal Team of OIM. The incumbent reports to the Senior Legal Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority in consultation with Office of Legal Affairs, the Associate Legal Officer may be responsible for the following duties :
- Conducts legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in international law and other area(s) of specialization as relate to the activities of the Office of Investment Management in connection with the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF, using multiple research sources; selects relevant material, analyzes information and presents findings for internal review.
- Assists Legal Officers in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; including contracts and supporting documentation relating to global public and private market investments and for goods and services, identifies important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.
- Assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, etc. in the field of relevant banking and investment law, etc.
- Assists in the preparation of legal opinions / advice on a range of international public and private law issues, as relate to the activities of the Office of Investment Management, which may, include, inter alia, application of the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions and the interpretation and application of UNJSPF's regulations and rules, policies and guidance documents.
- Assists in the preparation of agreements with governments, and other public and private entities, as well as claims and disputes related to the activities of the Office of Investment Management in connection with the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF.
- Assists, committees, task forces and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues, etc.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Education
An advanced degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first level university degree in law in combination with an additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Admission to the practice of law in a Member State of the United Nations, is required. An advanced university degree in law with specialization in international investment, banking, commercial law or corporate law is desirable.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the practice of commercial or corporate law acquired as an attorney at a law firm or an equivalent in-house legal function is required. Experience reviewing, and contributing to the drafting of, legal agreements between limited partners and sponsors / fund managers is desirable. Experience reviewing, and contributing to the drafting of, legal agreements for derivative transactions is desirable. Experience reviewing, and contributing the drafting of, financial services license agreements or other investment-related goods and services is desirable. Professional legal experience working in the legal office of an international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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.
