Va director of legal affairs d 1 jerusalem

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST UNRWA UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA seeks the services of a seasoned and innovative professional, highly motivated to provide skilled leadership in the position of:

Director of Legal Affairs Vacancy Announcement Number Grade Deadline for Applications Duty Station

14-HQ-JR-26 D-1 21 June 2014 Jerusalem

Under the general supervision of the Commissioner-General, the Director of Legal Affairs develops, promotes and implements a coherent Agency-wide legal strategy and policies. In particular, the incumbent ensures the integration of the legal function in all aspects of the Agency’s strategic, policy, programmatic and protection activities and ensures the consistent interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework and international law throughout the Agency. The incumbent also leads the programme of work and management of the Legal Affairs Department and provides strategic and technical leadership for the Agency’s lawyers, with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will: Primary Duties and Responsibilities • Develop, promote and implement a coherent Agency-wide legal strategy and policies. In particular, ensure the integration of the legal function in all aspects of the Agency’s strategic, policy, programmatic and protection activities. Analyze legal risks facing the Agency and propose measures to minimize them. Also ensure the consistent interpretation and application of

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the Agency’s regulatory framework and international law throughout the Agency; Lead the programme of work and management of the human and financial resources of the Department of Legal Affairs and provide strategic and technical leadership for the Agency’s lawyers, with a view to ensuring legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice; Provide and supervise provision of legal input into development and implementation of Agency strategy and policy relating to all areas of UNRWA operations, including through direct advice to the Commissioner-General and participation in senior management meetings and internal committees, as required; Provide strategic, technical and legal advice in support of the Agency’s protection function; Establish and maintain relations with representatives of host and other governments , the UN Office of Legal Affairs, UNHCR, OHCHR, OCHA, UNSCO and other entities with respect to issues of legal concern; Advise on the interpretation, application and enforcement of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including General Assembly resolutions, Staff and Financial Regulations, Rules and associated administrative issuances, Organizational Directives, Technical Instructions and Manuals; Supervise development of strategies to promote and implement and provide advice and training on relevant public international law, including UN law, and international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law; Provide and supervise provision of legal advice, training, outreach and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment law issues. In particular advise on investigations and disciplinary matters, provide strategic leadership for and review of Agency submissions to the UNRWA Dispute Tribunal and UN Appeals Tribunal, and appear before the Tribunals as required; Review and supervise review and reform of drafts, templates and general conditions for all types of Agency contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, memoranda of understanding with partners and funding agreements.

Professional Knowledge and Experience • Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in law, with specialization in international law, preferably also with some specialization in contract law, commercial law, administrative law or employment law.

• At least 15 years’ experience as a lawyer in the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, the commercial/private sector or NGO, including a period of experience in public international law, and at least five years at a senior level, including 2 years outside one’s home country; • Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies • Ability to develop and implement strategies and policies; • Ability to manage a team;

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Ability to negotiate effectively; Ability to effectively compile and synthesize information; Proven ability in the analysis of facts/information, the development of rigorous arguments and replies and the provision of sound advice; Excellent English drafting skills; Ability to communicate effectively with a range of internal and external contacts.

Equivalency When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Desirable Qualifications • Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction; • Familiarity with UN Common System and practices; • Knowledge of the history and contemporary problems of the Middle East; • Working knowledge of spoken and written Arabic; Additional Information The incumbent should be able to travel in the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East as well as to other locations.

Conditions of Service UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $103,400 net tax free with dependants or $95,575 single, plus post adjustment of 61.7% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.

How to Apply To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General Information UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

On appointment, all individuals will be asked to sign a self attestation, confirming that they have not committed, been convicted of, or prosecuted for, any criminal offence and that they have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Date of issue: 22 May 2014/CF