Judicial Affairs Officer

Global Roles; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Roles in New York is seeking a Judicial Affairs Officer to support justice and corrections components within UN peace operations. The role involves analysis, mission planning, coordination with partners, and contributing to strategic communications and recruitment processes at UN Headquarters in New York.

The incumbent will review justice issues, draft briefing notes, and support the development of guidance materials while engaging with international partners and HQ offices to advance

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in law (JD, LLB or equivalent) is required.
• 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 joint programming with UN counterparts and engaging with Member States and partners is required.
• One year supporting international rule of law initiatives at HQ and at least one year in peace operation context outside own country is required.
• English at UN Level III proficiency; French is desirable at Level II.

Responsibilities

• Provide backstopping support to justice and corrections components in UN peace operations.
• Review and analyze justice issues in UN peace operations.
• Maintain regular contact with mission counterparts and provide feedback and analysis on reports and communications.
• Support the planning of justice and legal system aspects of peace operations.
• Draft, review and edit briefing notes, cables, memoranda, and talking points for senior officials.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including UN partners of the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law.
• Contribute to development and review of guidance materials and training tools.

Skills

Legal Analysis

Rule of Law

International Justice

Accountability

Policy Guidance

Mission Planning

Strategic Communications

Recruitment

Front Office

UN Coordination

Prosecution

Judicial System

International Law

Law Expertise

Stakeholder Engagement

Legal Advisory

Education

Advanced law degree

Job description

The Judicial Affairs Officer supports justice and corrections components in United Nations peace operations, providing analysis, operational support, and policy guidance. The role involves mission planning, coordination with partners, and contributing to strategic communications and recruitment processes within the Justice and Corrections Service at UN Headquarters in New York.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• French is desirable at UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Legal Analysis
• Rule of Law Assistance
• International Justice
• Accountability Mechanisms
• Peace Support Operations
• Program Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Policy Guidance
• Mission Planning
• Strategic Communications
• Recruitment Processes
• Legal Advisory Services
• Prosecution Experience
• Judicial System Experience
• United Nations Coordination
• International Law
• Law Expertise
• Front Office Experience

Languages

English, French