March 3, 2026

Grade

GS5

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

H (no hardship)

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2026-03-16

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

Senior Legal Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Legal Assistant is a member of the protection team in the Country Office. He/she reports to the (Associate) Legal Officer.
The Senior Legal Assistant assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern 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 support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation.

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 monitoring the emerging legal acts and judicial practice.
- Contribute to legal analysis and review.
- Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
- Draft correspondence and other documents as requested.
- Cooperate with partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders as assigned.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.

- 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Law; Post-Sec Training Certificat; Human Rights;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
Not specified.

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.

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino—countries situated at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and characterized by diverse asylum systems, distinct legal frameworks, and varying capacities for refugee protection.

This sub region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements to Europe, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land, secondary movements, and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. Although the number of arrivals fluctuates, the centrality of these countries in broader European migration dynamics remains constant.

Italy and Malta, in particular, continue to serve as primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa positions Italy as a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) activities and in receiving persons rescued at sea.

San Marino and the Vatican City, though not primary asylum destinations, are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy, moral leadership, and resettlement or complementary pathways, especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations.

UNHCR has been part of the Italian decentralized Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedure between 2005 and 2018 as a fully-fledged member of the Territorial Commissions for the recognition of international protection. Since 2018, following UNHCR’s gradual disengagement from direct decision making and the introduction of independent experts in lieu of UNHCR staff, the organization has maintained its strategic supervisory role, promoting its RSD guidance and strengthening State capacity through training, quality monitoring and judicial engagement. According to the Italian legislation, UNHCR sits, with an advisory role, in the National Commission for the Right of Asylum, as the competent body for International Protection cessation and revocation procedures.

In this context, under the supervision of the RSD Associate, the incumbent will take part, representing UNHCR, in International Protection cessation and revocation procedures. S/he will ensure that relevant UNHCR’s guidelines, positions and advocacy lines are shared, promoted and, as much as possible, embraced in each phase of these procedures, in constant dialogue with the President and Deputy-President of the National Commission. S/he will, notably, support and coach components and specialized staff of the National Commission during cessation and revocation interviews – including when performed from remote and/or in detention, case preparation, legal and COI research, and s/he will take part in decision-making panel’s meetings.

Consistently with UNHCR capacity development planning and priorities, s/he will design and conduct targeted training for the components and staff of the National Commission, while also supporting training initiatives for decision makers at first and second instance, and other relevant interlocutors, on RSD-related topics, with a specific focus on exclusion and security-related profiles. Furthermore, s/he will contribute to legal analysis of new legislation on topics under the mandate or of interest to UNHCR and to the development of relevant recommendations, including through participating in the drafting of legal and policy documents.

To perform his/her duties, the incumbent is expected to remain abreast of relevant legislation, case law and policy developments related to asylum procedures, with a specific focus on exclusion, cessation and revocation, and to ensure regular, timely and accurate reporting to the UNHCR Rome Office on activities, caseload and trends of cessation and revocation procedures, thus contributing to UNHCR’s broader monitoring, protection and advocacy efforts.

DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

MCO Italy is looking for a solid candidate with proven knowledge of the international, EU and Italian refugee and human rights law and a specific expertise on exclusion from International Protection and/or cessation and revocation procedures. The candidate must be proficient in Italian and English and have excellent drafting skills in both languages. The candidate should possess strong interpersonal and team-building skills. Previous experience in RSD or in other protection fields in Italy would be an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.

English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarohr@unhcr.org.

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

English

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Italian

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,

,

Skills

Education

Certifications

Human Rights - Other, Law - Other

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