Background

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.

The Office of Legal Services in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS/OLS) serves as in-house counsel in UNDP. The Office provide advice and assistance on a range of legal matters relating to the UNDP’s operations. OLS consists of three operational Teams: Corporate and Institutional Team (C&I), Programmes and Projects Team (P&P) and Administrative Law Team (AL). 

A Legal Intern is sought for the Administrative Law Team (AL). AL is responsible for advising senior management in Headquarters, Country Offices and of affiliated funds and programmes on legal issues related to the administration of staff members and UN volunteers. AL’s functions include reviewing and advising on the formulation of policies and procedures; acting in the review of investigations and recommending action in cases of allegations of misconduct, as well as appeals against administrative decisions. In addition, AL is responsible for handling litigation in cases within the internal UN court system. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Senior Legal Advisor, the Legal Intern will provide support and assistance to the lawyers in the AL Team by carrying out the following tasks:

• Provide in-depth research on various legal topics, including based on the Staff Regulations and Rules; and jurisprudence of United Nations Administrative Tribunals;
• Analyze investigation reports, identifying factual or legal issues in a disciplinary process;
• Provide legal analysis concerning cases, disputes and inquiries; 
• Draft various legal documents, including formal correspondence, administrative decisions and tribunal submissions;
• Assist with the analysis of privileges and immunities;
• Contribute to the process of review of legal issues arising in policies and procedures;
• Provide other support to the office that may be required. 

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

• Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively:

• Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously:

• Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility:

• Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty; is flexible.

Act with Determination

• Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner

• Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

 Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies

Business Development – Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management – Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Legal – Knowledge of applicable legal framework

• Understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, UN General Assembly resolutions, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP.

Legal – Legal Writing Skills

• The ability to analyze fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form.

Legal – Legal Research

The ability to identify and retrieve information to support legal positions and corporate decision making from all relevant sources. In the UNDP context, this skill includes proactive seeking of information in anticipation of the different aspects that any given issue may present.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

a) enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in law or a related subject; 

b) enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in law or a related subject; 

c) enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program in law or a related subject, and undertake the internship as part of this program;

d) have recently graduated with a university degree (a master’s or bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

Experience:

• Previous experience working in a legal context and carrying out legal research is an asset. 
• Knowledge of the organization of the UN system, and specifically UNDP, is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

UNDP Terms & Conditions for Internship

• UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with the rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will (subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party) pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
• Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institution.
• The intern must provide proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of the internship;
• Interns are not staff and therefore, are not covered by UN Staff Regulations and Rules;

Application Procedure:

The application should be submitted via this website and should contain:

a) Cover Letter that describes the candidate’s motivation for applying for the position; 

b) Curriculum Vitae. 

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload a maximum of one document.

The Selected Candidate will be required to Provide the Following Additional Documents:

• Medical Certificate of good health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether the intern is fit to travel and has had the required inoculations for the country or countries to which the intern is to travel;
• Proof of health insurance coverage valid for the duration of the internship;
• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a degree program, specifying the subject and level of the program and expected graduation date, or Diploma if the intern has graduated within the last year;
• Copy of current school Transcript if enrolled in school, or transcript from most recently completed year.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.