UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Org. 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 (Commercial Law) is directly responsible to the Senior Legal Officer,
General Law Unit. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Principal Legal Officer,
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.
Advises on the resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency, including
overseeing, supporting and where appropriate conducting negotiations, settlement and
arbitration.
Advises on the interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework, inter alia,
the Agency’s procurement framework, UNRWA Area and International Staff Regulations,
Rules and associated administrative issuances, Financial Regulations and Organizational
Directives, Technical Instructions, and Staff Circulars.
Provides legal advice and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment
law and other relevant issues, in particular by drafting submissions to the Agency’s Dispute
Tribunal and/or the UN Appeals Tribunal.
Advises on the status, mandate, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the
Agency and its personnel as requested.
Upon request, provides legal advice, training and outreach on the interpretation and
application of relevant public international law, including treaty law, UN law, international
human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice.
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. Default managerial competencies may apply.
Planning and Organizing
Analyzing
Relating and Networking
Adapting and Responding to Change
Persuading and Influencing
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
A university degree from an accredited educational institution in law with some specialization
in contract, commercial and/or private or public international law.
Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
At least six years of progressively responsible relevant work experience as a lawyer in the
United Nations, other international organization, in government service, the
commercial/private sector and/or NGO, is required.
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for international posts must have at least two continuous years of relevant
international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate
is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required.
Familiarity with the UN system and practices, is desirable.
Membership of a national bar is desirable.
Work experience as a commercial lawyer in the private sector, preferably in an international
setting is desirable.
Commercial litigation experience is desirable.
Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English.
Knowledge of another UN official language, particularly Arabic, an asset.
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 Legal Officer (Commercial Law) should be able to travel 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 work experience as per the requirements
in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
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/
How to apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx go to Department and choose UNRWA for UNRWA posts. Only applications received through https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted via e-mail only.
Link to TJO is: JO is: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=196408&Lang=en-US