Jordan: Legal Consultant, Jordan Field Office
Country: Jordan
Closing date: 08 May 2014
TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle Eastwith more than 30,000 staff.
Legal Consultant, Jordan Field Office
BACKGROUND
UNRWA has Legal Officers or Consultants in each of its field offices who are there to provide legal advice and assistance on matters that may expose the Agency to risks of significant legal, financial, political or reputational damage. Accordingly, the overall objective of the legal function in each field office is to serve Agency operations with a view to ensuring that legal advice and assistance is taken into account in planning and decision-making at policy, operational and management levels, and to ensure the proper and consistent implementation of the Agency’s regulatory framework, as set out by Agency rules and regulations, Organization Directives, and Agency-wide legal instructions and guidance.
In pursuing this overall objective, the legal function within the Jordan Field Office provides legal advice and assistance on matters that include, but are not limited to: neutrality, privileges and immunities, contracts and MOU’s, court cases involving the Agency or its staff members in their official capacity, communication with host government authorities, protection, detained staff, service accident injuries, investigations, procurement, staff conduct and discipline, implementation of HQ legal policies/guidance, training and official reporting required by the UN or donor agencies.
Description of Duties and Responsibilities
· Provides direct legal advice and assistance to the Head Field Legal Office (HFLO) and senior staff in Jordan Field on all aspects of legal matters that include:
§ The privileges and immunities of the United Nations;
§ UNRWA's relations with governmental authorities;
§ Claims made against the Agency and its staff member in their official capacity;
§ Advising, and as appropriate, supervising and overseeing the formation and/or review and drafting of contracts, lease agreements, memorandums of understanding, legal submissions and other legal documents related to the Field Office operation;
§ The use of land;
§ The personnel procedures and related administrative law matters which may give rise to staff claims and appeals;
§ The Agency’s regulatory framework and analysis thereof;
§ And prepares legal opinions and correspondence on such matters after consultation where appropriate with the Department of Legal Affairs at UNRWA, HQ;
· Carries out or participates in investigations of staff member conduct, advises the Field Investigations Officer or Director of UNRWA Operations in Jordan (DUO,J) on the findings and advises on appropriate action, which may include administrative or disciplinary action, to be taken, where necessary,;
· Liaises with the local governmental authorities to safeguard and facilitate the Agency's operations, including following up the implementation of the Agency's requests to the relevant authorities and drawing the attention of senior Agency officials to potential problems or disputes with the relevant authorities; establishes and maintains contact with local lawyers with a view to resolving Field related potential disputes and claims involving the Agency; studies claims made against the Agency, and makes recommendations to HFLO or the DUO,J and to Headquarters;
· Drafts, and assists in the negotiation of conditions of contract and other documentation of a legal nature for the purchase and sale of goods and services, the construction and maintenance of buildings, the use of land, and the provision of other services by the Agency in the Jordan Field;
· Checks and verifies reports from Agency staff concerning violations of the Agency's privileges and immunities and drafts communications as appropriate to the relevant authorities concerning such violations; maintains a data-base of statistics related to interference with Agency operations, and violations of the privileges and immunities of the Agency, and in particular interference with its premises and mistreatment of its staff;
· Acts as member of committees as requested by the DUO,J, including the Local Committee on Procurement and Intake Committee.
PROFFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
· Advanced degree in Law (Juris Doctorate or Master).
· At least two years of progressively responsible legal experience in a national or international organization. Familiarity with international law, human rights law, contracts and commercial law, administrative law, employment law, and criminal and civil procedure.
· Fluent command of written and spoken English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
· Knowledge of contemporary issues in the Middle East;
· Familiarity with the UN system and practices;
· Proficient command of written and spoken Arabic.
COMPETENCIES
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a diverse team environment;
· A high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical writing experience in a legal context, including ability to present information and data in a clear and instructive manner, combined with superior skills in legal writing, analysis and expression in form of drafting legal opinions, papers and positions;
· Strong analytical and evaluative skills combined with sound judgment, including ability to apply legal knowledge and practice to strategic, policy and operational objectives;
· Highly developed negotiation skills, with ability to positively influence others to reach mutually benefiting understanding.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
· The Consultant is required to possess a valid driving license;
· The Consultant will be required to reside in Amman and to travel occasionally throughout the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
· The duration of the consultancy assignment is six (6) months renewable;
· Remuneration for this consultancy will depend on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org, indicating the title of this consultancy “Legal Consultant” in the subject line of the message.
The deadline for the submission of applications is8 May 2014.(Late applications will not be considered).
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.
How to apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org, indicating the title of this consultancy “Legal Consultant” in the subject line of the message.
The deadline for the submission of applications is8 May 2014.(Late applications will not be considered).
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.
