Closing date: Sunday, 12 March 2023
Posting Title: LEGAL OFFICER(CONTRACTS DATA PROTECTION), P3
Job Code Title: Legal Officer(Contracts Data Protection)
Department/Office: United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Duty Station: JERUSALEM
Posting Period: 20 February 2023 – 12 March 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Legal Affairs-UNRWA-202662-R-Jerusalem (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for DiversityOrganisational Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Legal Officer (Contracts and Data Protection) reports to the Senior Legal Officer or Principal Legal Officer as applicable in the general law unit.
Responsibilities
Drafts, reviews and assists in the negotiation of all types of Agency contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, memoranda of understanding with partners and funding agreements, including advising on environmental standards as part of contracts. Advises on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, in particular the procurement framework. Provides legal advice and assistance on all matters relating to the Agency’s Data Protection and Disclosure Policy, in particular the roll-out and implementation of this policy. Advises on and participates in the resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency, including overseeing, supporting and conducting negotiations, settlement and arbitration. Assists in the development of new standard templates and modalities for financing agreements and MOUs with partners. Advises on the status, mandate, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel.Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Planning and Organizing Analyzing Relating and Networking Adapting and Responding to Change Persuading and Influencing Ability to negotiate effectively. For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYIEducation
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law or related discipline.Work Experience
At least five years of relevant work experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organization, in government service, the commercial/private sector and/or NGO with demonstrated work on data protection and disclosure policies is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required Familiarity with the UN system and practices is desirable. Experience on public international law matters is desirable. Admission to practice law in a national jurisdiction is desirable. Some specialization in contract, commercial, and/or data protection law is desirable. Some knowledge of public international law is an asset is desirable.Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language, particularly Arabic, an asset is desirable.Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.Special Notice
Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent will be required to travel, as needed, in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/United Nations Considerations
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.
