Judicial Affairs Officer, P-4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Justice and Correction Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), duty station Bangui. The Judicial Affairs Officer, P-4 level, reports to the Chief of Justice and Corrections and/or the Head of Special Criminal Court Support Unit.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the Judicial Affairs Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development and implementation of the mission’s strategies related to the rule of law in relation to the operationalization and functioning of the Special Criminal Court and the development/reform of the judicial and legal systems, including by advising national counterparts, providing training and monitoring the court and legal systems, etc. 
• Serves as a recognized expert in one or more areas of concentration (e.g. international/hybrid criminal jurisdictions, court management and administration, legal aid, victims’ participation and reparations, investigations, witness protection, etc.); provides policy and operational advice to senior management on an ongoing basis and assists in programming related activities at the national level; independently handles a wide range of multi- discipline, highly complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting matters involving issues relating to the development or reform of legal or judicial systems/institutions.
• Coordinates and directs work teams; guides, supervises and evaluates the work of junior officers; may assist in the general management and administration of the work unit, organizing and prioritizing the workload and providing general coordination and supervision of assignments.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises all activities in assigned area; ensures an integrated and harmonized approach among other components of the mission (e.g. corrections, human rights, political affairs, policy, gender, child protections, etc.) and UN entities.
• Takes the lead in promoting knowledge management and information sharing, including developing a culture of respect for, and inclusion of, local actors in all judicial and legal system initiatives.
• Organizes and supervises research studies and the preparation written outputs, as well as performs extensive legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares reports, studies, briefs, reports, and other written material; participates in legislative reviews and prepares commentaries.
• Provides innovative technical advice and assistance to regional and local commissions, standing committees, and other offices, etc.
• Coordinates/performs programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of work unit, including contributing to the preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of Unit’s mandate and strategic direction as well as international criminal law and national criminal law in a Romano-Germanic legal system. Demonstrated understanding of a range of issues related to judicial, prosecutorial and legal system. Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of source and assess impact on judicial affairs initiative in assigned country/area. Ability to work under pressure on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g.: civil strife, natural disasters and human suffering). 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.
• 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 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. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, or bar qualification, or equivalent, in addition to a first level degree in law, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with other relevant academic qualifications and/or two (2) years relevant legal experience in the field of justice and/or rule of law assistance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years with a master’s degree or nine (9) years with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible professional experience, including five (5) years as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, or advisor in the field of criminal justice, is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience providing legal advice and/or technical assistance to the functioning of a hybrid/internationalized criminal court is required. A minimum of one (1) year of experience providing services in the field of judicial affairs or related areas in a transitional, developmental, or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality is required. Management experience is required. Experience in programme design and managing multi-donor projects is desirable. Experience providing services in the field of Judicial affairs or related areas to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French and English is required.

Application instructions

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