Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Office of the Director-General/Executive Director (ODG/OED) of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor and the overall supervision of the Chief of Office of ODG/OED. For more information on UNOV and UNODC, please visit our websites www.unov.org and www.unodc.org.
Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Associate Legal Officer will assist the Senior Legal Advisor in providing advice and support to UNOV/UNODC Senior Management, UNOV/UNODC offices and, as required, to United Nations Secretariat entities based in Vienna.
In particular, the Associate Legal Officer will perform the following duties: • Conduct legal research and assist in preparing legal opinions and advice on a wide range of public and private international law issues, including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions and decisions of United Nations governing bodies, the UN legal and administrative framework, privileges and immunities, institutional and procedural questions, and as applicable relevant host country legislations.
• Draft, review and propose revisions to a variety of legal instruments and documents with legal implications, including MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), agreements with Member States or UN and non-UN entities, host country and conference agreements, commercial contracts, administrative issuances, inter-office memoranda, and other official correspondence.
• Assist in providing legal advice on institutional and procedural matters relating to intergovernmental bodies and processes serviced by UNOV/UNODC, including the interpretation and application of applicable rules of procedure, resolutions and decisions. • Conduct legal research and assist in preparing legal opinions or advice on claims, disputes and other legal proceedings involving UNOV or UNODC.
• Identify and assess legal risks arising from proposed arrangements and activities, and formulate recommendations to prevent or minimize potential legal exposure and liability of UNOV/UNODC. • Represent ODG/OED Legal at meetings including with external stakeholders, as directed, and prepare reports or follow up documentation, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Contribute to the tracking and reporting on ODG/OED/Legal’s activities. • Perform other work-related duties, as assigned.
Competencies • Professionalism: Has knowledge of, and ability to apply legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents. Has knowledge and understanding of UN mandates, the UN administrative and legal framework and the mandates and some understanding of the overall policies of UNOV and UNODC. Is able to work under pressure and to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given.
Has ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Show pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; be motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; persistence shown when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remaining calm in stressful situations.
Taking responsibility for incorporating gender and cultural perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public international law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A first-level university degree in law and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Job - Specific Qualification Not available.
Work Experience A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in international law, including legal analysis, research and writing OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/ the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required.
Professional work experience in the legal office of an international organization or of a governmental institution dealing with matters of international law is desirable. Work experience relating to the body of international law governing privileges and immunities is desirable. Work experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating agreements, contracts and other legal instruments is desirable. Work experience in matters related to host country agreements is desirable.
Work experience in providing advice on procedural matters to intergovernmental bodies and meetings is desirable. Work experience in drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice treaties, intergovernmental processes and policy is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Spanish or 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 for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Spanish UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice This temporary position is available until 30 June 2027. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period, will normally be at a staff member’s personal grade and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Payment of Special Post Allowance (SPA) to the post level may be considered after three months subject to certain conditions.
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 may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station). 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 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.
No Fee 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.
View source text
Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Office of the Director-General/Executive Director (ODG/OED) of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor and the overall supervision of the Chief of Office of ODG/OED. For more information on UNOV and UNODC, please visit our websites www.unov.org and www.unodc.org. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Associate Legal Officer will assist the Senior Legal Advisor in providing advice and support to UNOV/UNODC Senior Management, UNOV/UNODC offices and, as required, to United Nations Secretariat entities based in Vienna. In particular, the Associate Legal Officer will perform the following duties: • Conduct legal research and assist in preparing legal opinions and advice on a wide range of public and private international law issues, including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions and decisions of United Nations governing bodies, the UN legal and administrative framework, privileges and immunities, institutional and procedural questions, and as applicable relevant host country legislations. • Draft, review and propose revisions to a variety of legal instruments and documents with legal implications, including MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), agreements with Member States or UN and non-UN entities, host country and conference agreements, commercial contracts, administrative issuances, inter-office memoranda, and other official correspondence. • Assist in providing legal advice on institutional and procedural matters relating to intergovernmental bodies and processes serviced by UNOV/UNODC, including the interpretation and application of applicable rules of procedure, resolutions and decisions. • Conduct legal research and assist in preparing legal opinions or advice on claims, disputes and other legal proceedings involving UNOV or UNODC. • Identify and assess legal risks arising from proposed arrangements and activities, and formulate recommendations to prevent or minimize potential legal exposure and liability of UNOV/UNODC. • Represent ODG/OED Legal at meetings including with external stakeholders, as directed, and prepare reports or follow up documentation, as appropriate. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Contribute to the tracking and reporting on ODG/OED/Legal’s activities. • Perform other work-related duties, as assigned. Competencies • Professionalism: Has knowledge of, and ability to apply legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents. Has knowledge and understanding of UN mandates, the UN administrative and legal framework and the mandates and some understanding of the overall policies of UNOV and UNODC. Is able to work under pressure and to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Has ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Show pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; be motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; persistence shown when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remaining calm in stressful situations. Taking responsibility for incorporating gender and cultural perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public international law is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree in law and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in international law, including legal analysis, research and writing OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/ the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Professional work experience in the legal office of an international organization or of a governmental institution dealing with matters of international law is desirable. Work experience relating to the body of international law governing privileges and immunities is desirable. Work experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating agreements, contracts and other legal instruments is desirable. Work experience in matters related to host country agreements is desirable. Work experience in providing advice on procedural matters to intergovernmental bodies and meetings is desirable. Work experience in drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice treaties, intergovernmental processes and policy is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Spanish or 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 for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Spanish UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. Special Notice This temporary position is available until 30 June 2027. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period, will normally be at a staff member’s personal grade and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Payment of Special Post Allowance (SPA) to the post level may be considered after three months subject to certain conditions. 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 may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station). 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 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. No Fee 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.