UN Women: Legal Specialist, P-3, FTA, New York, USA

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The UN Women Legal Office is responsible for providing high quality legal advice and support to the UN Women Executive Director, senior management, HQ units, country offices on a wide range of multidisciplinary legal matters relating to the interpretation and application of international, public, private, and administrative law, in the following broad areas:

• Legal status, authorities, privileges and immunities, and relationships with UN Women Governing Bodies, Programme Country, and Partner Governments;
• Corporate, commercial, and private law matters, including legal support to the Organization’s financial and procurement operations.
• Administrative law matters relating to the Organization’s relationship with its staff members, including legal support to human resources management issues.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Legal Office, the Legal Specialist will provide legal advice to UN Women management, HQ units, regional, sub-regional and country offices, as required

Key Functions and Accountabilities

Provide legal advice to UN Women on issues related to human resources management:

• Provide legal advice to UN Women senior management, headquarters units, country offices, on the application of the Staff Regulations, Rules and procedures governing the internal justice system and other relevant aspects of human resources management, including administrative and disciplinary matters.
• Expert advice and support to management as required on matters concerning SEA, protection from harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination, also by keeping abreast of relevant developments within the organization and assisting the enforcement of UN Women’s zero-tolerance approach to violations.

Provide technical support in relation to investigations, disciplinary matters, and criminal accountability:

• Directly handle analysis and review of investigation reports and recommendation of appropriate action under UN Women’s Legal Framework.
• Provide technical support in the processing of cases referred by the investigation service for management action by reviewing such cases, ensuring administration and application of the due process requirements and internal policies; and work with the Independent Evaluation, Audit and Investigation Services (IEAIS) and HR, as appropriate, to advise on appropriate resolution thereof in accordance with established staff regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Provide legal support to IEAIS in achieving its mandate further to IEAIS’ Charter, in particular with respect to investigation matters [handled internally by IEAIS], in accordance with UN Women’s Legal Framework. Liaise with UN/OLA with respect to cases involving possible criminal conduct by UN Women officials, experts on mission, or other third parties, for possible referrals to the national authorities of the appropriate Member States, and with respect to investigations and proceedings relating to UN Women, as conducted by Member States.

Prepare written responses to management evaluation requests and UNDT applications:

• Prepare written responses as required on behalf of the Executive Director in response to requests for management evaluation.
• Prepare written responses and other submissions as required on behalf of the Executive Director in response to applications and other submissions filed before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT).

Represent UN Women as necessary in relation to UNDT applications

• Represent the Secretary-General before the UNDT, including but not limited to, in direction hearings and hearings on the merits as requested. 
• Attend to all stages of proceedings before the UNDT, including the conduct of settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required. 
• Liaise with UN/OLA regarding UNDT cases involving UN Women, UN/OLA’s representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), in cases involving UN Women, and other administration of justice related issues

Provide legal advice and support with respect to policy matters:

• Technically contribute to the review and design of new legal instruments, policy, guidelines, and systems, particularly for HR.
• Based on experience gained from addressing issues, identify and advise o