The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability.
Responsibilities:
Support the legal adviser in providing authoritative legal advice and assistance to senior management and other organizational entities on legal matters affecting UNIDO or arising from the organization’s activities and operations.
Conduct research and draft expert legal opinions and advice on the interpretation of, and compliance with, legal instruments forming part of the legal framework of the organization.
Review, comment on, and prepare replies concerning the legal aspects of draft agreements and arrangements to be concluded by UNIDO, including basic cooperation agreements, agreements with states hosting UNIDO offices, funding agreements, and other partnership agreements and arrangements, and represent the Office in the negotiation of these instruments as required.
Draft, review, and update appropriate models and templates of such agreements and arrangements as required.
Serve as the leading subject matter expert and senior focal point for the legal aspects of the technical cooperation portfolio, donor relations, and the field presence of UNIDO, including by providing day-to-day legal support services to organizational entities to facilitate the organization’s technical cooperation and global forum functions.
Draft, review, comment on and prepare correspondence concerning the legal aspects of draft administrative issuances and other Secretariat documents sent to ODG/LEG for review.
Draft, review, comment on, and prepare correspondence concerning the legal aspects of draft decisions, resolutions, and other documents of the policymaking organs of UNIDO.
Represent the Office at meetings of the policymaking organs of UNIDO and at other meetings of Member States.
Represent the Office at other meetings in regard to legal matters affecting the organization, including its privileges and immunities.
Represent the Office at internal meetings and on Secretariat committees such as the Procurement Committee and provide advice and assistance in resolving legal questions that arise in connection with the work of such committees.
Serve as the designated senior case officer responsible for managing individual complaints brought against UNIDO before the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILOAT), including by researching the facts and jurisprudence, advising on overall strategy, consulting with other relevant organizational entities, drafting the necessary legal briefs, reviewing the Tribunal’s judgment, and analyzing lessons learned.
Requirements:
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in law, international law, or another field of law directly relevant to the work of the office is required. Admission to the bar in at least one national jurisdiction is desirable.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in law, obtained in the legal office of an international intergovernmental organization or the legal office of a government or a law firm, in areas relevant to the mandate of the office, is required.
A proven track record in litigation, including, e.g., employment law, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, or arbitration, is required. A leading role in drafting and negotiating complex legal instruments is required.
Experience in the provision of legal advice, gained in the legal office of a UN Common System or comparable international organization, is desirable.
