Associate Legal Officer (temporary)

UN Atlas; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOV/UNODC Vienna is seeking an Associate Legal Officer to provide legal support to senior management and UN entities in Vienna. The role involves researching and drafting on public and private international law, preparing opinions, and reviewing MOUs, agreements, and contracts.

The incumbent will advise on institutional matters, assess legal risks, and represent the Legal Office in meetings with external partners.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public international law.
• Experience in legal analysis, research, and writing.
• Knowledge of host country legislation and international instruments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare opinions on international law.
• Draft, review, and revise MOUs, agreements, host country agreements, and contracts.
• Provide legal advice on institutional and procedural matters for intergovernmental bodies.
• Identify legal risks and suggest mitigation measures.
• Represent the Legal Office in meetings with external stakeholders.
• Support data collection and reporting using data visualization.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Public international law

Contract drafting

Intergovernmental agreements

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in public international law

First-level law degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: This position is within the Office of the Director-General/Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The role reports to the Senior Legal Advisor and the Chief of Office, supporting senior management and various UN entities based in Vienna.

Job purpose: The Associate Legal Officer will provide crucial legal advice and support to UNOV/UNODC Senior Management and offices, as well as other UN Secretariat entities in Vienna. This involves conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions on international law matters, and drafting/reviewing legal instruments such as MOUs, agreements, and contracts. The role also entails advising on institutional and procedural matters, assessing legal risks, and representing the Legal Office in meetings. Additionally, the incumbent will contribute to data analysis for planning and reporting, ensuring efficient operation and risk mitigation within the organization.

Responsibilities: Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions on public and private international law, including UN Charter, resolutions, legal framework, privileges, immunities, and host country legislation. Draft, review, and revise legal instruments such as MOUs, agreements with Member States and other entities, host country and conference agreements, commercial contracts, and administrative issuances. Provide legal advice on institutional and procedural matters related to intergovernmental bodies, including interpreting rules of procedure and decisions. Research and advise on claims, disputes, and legal proceedings involving UNOV or UNODC. Identify and assess legal risks, recommending measures to minimize liability. Represent the Legal Office in meetings with external stakeholders and prepare follow-up documentation. Contribute to data collection, analysis, and reporting using data visualization methods. Track and report on the activities of the ODG/OED Legal office.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public international law is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law with two additional years of qualifying experience is acceptable. Candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP) or equivalent may be considered with a first-level degree in law and no experience.

Work experience: A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in international law, including legal analysis, research, and writing, is required. Experience in an international organization's legal office or a governmental institution dealing with international law is desirable. Experience with privileges and immunities, drafting/negotiating agreements, host country agreements, procedural advice, and drug control treaties is also desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Accountability, Client Orientation, legal research and writing, legal analysis, data analysis, communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, good legal judgment, knowledge of UN mandates and legal framework.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French, Spanish