Mission and objectives

UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP staff are united by a common purpose: to help countries and communities across the world pursue peaceful, prosperous lives, lived in harmony with the planet.

Context

The Office of Legal Services in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS/OLS) provides strategic legal services of the highest standard to UNDP, UNCDF and UN Volunteers, giving pragmatic and timely legal advice that enables the right people to make good decisions.

BMS/OLS is seeking outstanding, proactive UN Volunteer lawyers with a strong public service background, and the capacity and commitment needed to deliver transformative impact.

The Corporate and Institutional Team (C+I) within BMS/OLS advises on:

• Legal aspects of UNDP’s mandate, legal framework and matters related to its corporate and institutional structure.

• Legal aspects of commercial contracts, including procurement contracts, agreements with non-staff personnel and other vendors/services providers, leases and other real estate matters, and contracts for banking services.

• Legal aspects and issues arising from partnerships, including financing arrangements with donors.

• Legal arrangements for and issues arising from inter-agency collaboration.

Under the overall supervision of the General Counsel and Director of BMS/OLS, and reporting directly to the Senior Legal Advisor and Head of C+I, the UN Volunteer Legal Analyst assists in the provision of support to UNDP senior management, headquarters, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices as well as to the other Funds and Agencies, as appropriate, in the C+I practice area.

Task description

Under the guidance of the Senior Legal Adviser, the Legal Analyst performs the following primary functions:

1. Legal advice, guidance and counsel on commercial matters, including:

• Assists in the review and negotiation of complex contracts, and assisting in the drafting, review and negotiation of contracts for goods and services, civil works, leases and premises agreements, banking and other agreement with vendors, in close consultation with senior lawyers in the team and, when requested, the respective internal client(s).

2. Legal advice, guidance and counsel on contractual claims, including:

• Assists in the review, negotiation, settlement, and where appropriate arbitration, of claims and disputes arising from agreements, contracts and other arrangements, including commercial claims and disputes involving the Organization.

• Conducts research as required/requested.

3. Legal advice, guidance and counsel on partnership arrangements and donor financing agreements between various partners and donors, and UNDP, including:

• Assists in the drafting, review and negotiations of standard, donor financing agreements and partnership instruments;

• Assists in the review and, as required, negotiation and revision of corporate agreements with partners, including donors, which govern their overall relationship with UNDP in close consultation with the senior lawyers in the team and, when requested, respective internal client;

• Conducts research as required/requested.

4. Legal advice, guidance and counsel on corporate and institutional issues, and matters arising from the Organization’s status, mandate and legal structure:

• Assists in preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Organization’s mandate and legal framework including with respect to the financial regulations, and rules, prescriptive content (policies and procedures) and questions and matters involving privileges and immunities of the Organization (the latter in coordination with UN/OLA).

• Assists in preparing legal advice and assistance with respect to the Organization’s interagency arrangements, common issues and provision of services, including related to multi-partner trust funds and other arrangements.

• Conducts research and drafts memoranda as required/requested.

5. Support to the creation and maintenance of a robust institutional and corporate legal system, and knowledge management, and conducts research to support C&I activities:

• Assists in the development and updating of agreements and templates, review of non-standard agreements and supporting the preparation of advice on the creation and interpretation of policies and procedures that BMS/OLS is responsible for.

• Conducts research and drafts memoranda as required/requested, related to any of the work of the C&I team.

• Regularly updates the Senior Legal Adviser on legal issues in the matters assigned, and identifies recurring issues based on experience gained from addressing issues related to any of the above-mentioned functions.

• Identifies and reports to Senior Legal Adviser on areas where systemic or policy changes may be warranted in order to strengthen UNDP’s accountability and/or allow operational units to carry out their functions more effectively and efficiently, including review of standard texts, policies and procedures, in consultation with the concerned substantive units.

Living conditions and remarks:

The selected UN Volunteer will serve remotely from their place of residence, the Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) will be based on the country of residence.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in the practice of law with a law firm, a government and/or international organization’s legal office is required.

• Understanding of and experience with the United Nations system, including its Legal Framework and the legal institutional arrangements of United Nations organizations including, the privileges and immunities of international organizations, is an asset.

• Experience in relevant legal areas such as contract, commercial, corporate, partnership, and/or institutional law.

• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is an asset.

• Excellent project management skills, the ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and the ability to understand and manage priorities.

• Excellent research, legal writing and drafting skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and client focus.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards.

Area(s) of expertise

Legal affairs

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

French, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Spanish, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Law or an area related