Legal Assistant

GloJobs; Genf; On-site; CHF 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GloJobs in Geneva, Switzerland is seeking a Senior Support professional with about seven years of experience in general office and legal-administrative support.

You will handle inquiries, manage case files, assist with meetings and travel, and prepare data presentations to support decision-making within the UNDT Registry.

Proficiency in English is required, French desirable; high school diploma is minimum; the role is based in the Geneva duty station.

Qualifications

• Seven years of paralegal/general office experience.
• Experience in international or judicial administration desirable.
• Proficiency in English; French desirable.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex verbal and written inquiries and explain processes and procedures.
• Draft routine correspondence and perform final checks on documents.
• Maintain case files, docket sheets, and ensure proper filing and follow-up.
• Provide meeting support and scheduling for court sessions.
• Generate standard reports from internal databases and assist with data analysis.
• Assist with travel requests, supplies, and other administrative duties.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

GloJobs analysis estimates · not the employer's figures

Senior Support · ~7 yrs · Secondary / High School · English/French

Duty station Geneva, Switzerland

Formality check 1 / 5 — low

Formality measures wording patterns — e.g. unusually specific requirements or a short application window — that can suggest a vacancy may favour a pre-identified candidate. This one shows:

This position is located in the Office of Administration of Justice and specifically in the Registry of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) in Geneva. The UNDT hears and decides cases filed by or on behalf of current and former staff members appealing administrative decisions alleged to be in non-compliance with their terms of appointment or contract of employment. The UNDT conducts hearings, issues orders, and renders binding judgments. Both staff members and the Administration have a right to appeal the judgments of the Dispute Tribunal to the United Nations Appeals Tribunal. The position is under the overall supervision of the Principal Registrar, the incumbent will report directly to the Registrar of UNDT.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, The incumbent will provide a wide range of general office support, service meetings, and perform other administrative support. Duties will include:

• Independently handle a variety of relatively complex verbal and written inquiries from internal or external parties, including providing detailed information on processes and procedures related to a range of legal activities, instruments, issues, etc.;
• Draft responses to routine correspondence, notes, and any other routine communications, as required;
• Edit and conduct final checks for accuracy of a variety of specialized documentation, legal publications, and related correspondence;
• Create, as necessary, and maintain files and databases, including by managing individual case files, maintaining and updating detailed 'docket sheets' and ensuring that all related correspondence and other documentation are appropriately filed, registered and followed-up;
• Provides technical assistance for meetings arrangements and servicing, including scheduling appointments/meetings/court sessions;
• Handle or refer to the Registrar and/or Legal Officer(s), as appropriate, a variety of verbal and written inquiries from internal and external parties, including providing information on processes and procedures related to the work of the Registry;
• Conduct basic research on assigned issues, using existing files and alternative sources (e.g., computer-assisted searches using the internet, intranet or other databases);
• Maintain internal databases on cases for tracking and trend analysis; generate a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases;
• Review, record, distribute and/or process all mail and other documents (e.g., orders and judgments);
• Follow up on impending actions and deadlines;
• Assist in the maintenance of a body of reference files, both paper and electronic, to ensure rapid retrieval of critical information; conduct reference searches upon request; review material and determine appropriate file classification category; identify material for inclusion in files; assist, when needed, in the archiving of documents, storage and retrieval of files;
• Generate a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases;
• Perform, when needed, a variety of administrative duties including processing travel requests and related documents, preparation of travel claims, request for office supplies and equipment, etc.;
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced staff;
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making;
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of organizational legal framework, relevant legal processes, procedures and terminology for review, examination, preparation and processing of legal documents. Ability to conduct research using diverse legal research sources (including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other data bases). Ability to review and synthesizes information and present findings and recommendations in a required format. Knowledge of information management, classification and retrieval systems. Ability to show tact and discretion in dealing with high-ranking officials and with confidential matters and materials. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING & 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Work Experience

A minimum of Seven years of experience in paralegal work, conference servicing, general office support or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by five years for candidates who possess a first level University degree or higher. Experience as a law clerk/court assistant in an international or similar organizations, judicial administration or a large law firm is desirable. At least one year of work experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org [link removed] for details).

Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Language

Reading

Writing

Speaking

French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The position is temporarily available as soon as possible until 31 December 2026. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities maybe provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

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 warranted 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.

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