JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

This position is located within the Justice and Corrections Service (JCS) in the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Judicial Affairs Officer will report to the Chief of Justice and Corrections Service.

Within delegated authority, the Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Mission Planning and Support

• Provide backstopping support to justice and corrections components in United Nations peace operations;
• Review and analyze justice issues in United Nations peace operations;
• Maintain regular contact with mission counterparts and provide feedback and analysis on reports, code cables and other correspondence and communications from peace operations;
• Support the planning of justice and legal system aspects of peace operations;
• Participate in or prepare senior colleagues for justice and corrections and rule of law field assessments, reviews and technical support missions and draft corresponding reports;
• Contribute to the provision of operational support and advice to the Departments of Peace Operations and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and to judicial and legal system components/capacities of peace operations and non-Mission settings;
• Draft, compile, review and edit briefing notes, code cables, memoranda, talking points and other documents for the Chief of Service, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (OASG), the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) and other senior officials at Headquarters and in the field. Policy, Guidance and Partnerships
• Coordinate with and convene internal and external partners, including United Nations partners of the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law;
• Contribute to the development and review of guidance materials and training tools, including by supporting lessons learned and best practices exercises. Management and Coordination Support
• Contribute to various work streams of the Service in response to requests from the Chief of Service, OASG PBPSO and OUSG DPO and OUSG DPPA;
• Provide quality control for outgoing correspondence, cables, notes and briefings for the approval of the Chief of Service;
• Assist the Chief of Service or her/his delegate in the administration of the Service, including the development of work plans and budgetary documents;
• Assist the development of project proposals in the justice and corrections areas for voluntary funding and the management of such funds;
• Support the organization of briefings, conferences, meetings and training events;
• Contribute to strategic communications initiatives of the Service, including the preparation of social media material;
• Support recruitment processes, including by developing vacancy announcements and screening candidates for JCS and United Nations field missions;
• Perform other duties as required.

Professionalism: Demonstrated knowledge of judicial and legal system issues, including knowledge of criminal law and relevant international human rights standards and their relationship and linkages to post-conflict recovery and stabilization frameworks and initiatives. Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to identify and articulate issues that require a coordinated United Nations response. Judgment in applying technical expertise to a wide range of complex problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to judicial affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the United Nations system. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law (JD, LLB or equivalent) is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the field of justice or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of five years experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal expert, or international rule of law advisor is required. Experience working in a front office setting is required. Experience contributing to the development or implementation of joint programming with United Nations counterparts and supporting engagement with Member States and other international partners to marshal support for rule of law initiatives is required. Experience supporting national or international accountability mechanisms for serious crimes is desirable. One year supporting international rule of law or justice initiatives at the headquarters of an international organization and at least one year providing such support in a peace operation context outside the incumbent's own country of origin is required.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.