Assistant Legal Officer(N)

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

NOA

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2023-12-18

Job Posting End Date

December 23, 2023

Standard Job Description

Assistant Legal Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Legal Officer is a member of the protection or legal team in a Country or Sub-Office. He/she may report to the (Senior) Protection or (Senior) Legal Officer, Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative.

The Assistant Legal Officer assists the Office in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (POC). S/he is also required to assist the office in ensuring that POC are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern and authorities as well as protection and assistance partners.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
• Stay abreast of the domestic legal issues and pertinent laws regarding POC and advise the Office accordingly.
• Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
• Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
• Assist the Office in providing legal counselling to persons of concern.
• Liaise and intervene with local authorities on the legal issues pertaining to POC.
• May act as interpreter during meetings with authorities, if required.
• Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
• Assist in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law; Human Rights Law; Refugee Law;

International Humanitarian Law;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

HCR Protection Learning Prg;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection would be an asset or any other equivalent external courses.

Functional Skills

LE-Legal Research

LE-Draft legal settlement agreements

UN-UN System – Legal Status and Structure

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Operational Context

The war in Ukraine triggered the displacement of more than 570,000 refugees to the Czech Republic who applied and received temporary protection in the country. Today over 370,000 continue to seek refuge in Czechia. While the Czech Republic is not a frontline state, it is amongst the top 3 destinations for Ukrainian fleeing the war.

UNHCR Czechia is creating a national officer position to oversee and support project implementation of legal aid activities by UNHCR’s partners. The Assistant Legal Officer will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on relevant national legislative developments and case-law, keeping abreast of relevant developments at European Union level, liaising and intervening with authorities on legal issues to promote the protection of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. S/he will also be responsible to update the legal aid content of UNHCR Czechia help website (https://help.unhcr.org/czech/where-to-seek-help/legal-aid/).

The position is based in Prague. The Assistant Legal Officer is a member of the Protection Unit and reports to the Senior Protection Officer. The candidate will be an integral part of a diverse international team and will closely work with colleagues in other units. S/he will also ensure strong coordination with partner organizations, authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. S/he may act as interpreter during meetings with authorities, if required.

UNHCR’s workplace is international and multicultural and therefore inclusive and diverse. It offers opportunities that contribute to professional growth and development, and it requires cultural awareness and sensitivity and adaptation to different communication styles and behaviours. Prior experience in the field of migration and asylum is a strong value added. As a key resource for engagement with government counterparts the candidate should possess relevant representation and public engagement skills.

UNHCR National Office in the Czech Republic operates under the Representation for Central Europe (MCO Hungary), which covers 4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia).

Language Requirements

Knowledge of English as the UN working language of the duty station and Czech language is required.

Desirable Candidate Profile

• Experience in the field of migration and asylum.
• Strong analytical skills and a high level of precision and attention to detail.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop policy and operational recommendations based on identified needs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and coordination skills.
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively as part of a team in multicultural settings.
• Proactive, positive, open-minded, and willing to learn.
• Good drafting skills.

Additional information:

National Professional Officers should be of the nationality of the country where the office concerned is located.

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

NO-A monthly salary range: NET CZK 85,711 – CZK 105,464

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).

Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in the Czech Republic will be enrolled in the National Health System of Czech Republic.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

English

,

Czech

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Skills

Additional Qualifications

LE-Draft legal settlement agreements, LE-Legal Research, UN-UN System – Legal Status and Structure

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Humanitarian Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Refugee Law

Certifications

HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Policy research & development, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance