Organizational context: The Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) coordinates the UN's internal justice system. The Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), headed by a Chief, provides legal assistance to staff members. This Legal Officer position is based in Santiago, Chile, and reports to the Chief of OSLA, contributing to the effective functioning of the justice system.

Job purpose: The Legal Officer is responsible for handling a broad range of legal issues, including international, public, private, and administrative law, in consultation with senior colleagues. This involves conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing studies, briefs, and reports, and reviewing legal documents to identify key issues. The role includes drafting legal opinions and advice for clients, participating in the negotiation and settlement of claims, and preparing legal submissions. A significant aspect of the role is representing and assisting clients before the UN Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal, as well as in disciplinary processes and other recourse mechanisms. The position also involves providing legal advice on human resources matters and guiding junior staff, utilizing data analysis for informed decision-making.

Responsibilities: Handle diverse legal matters including international, public, private, and administrative law, in consultation with senior officers. Conduct comprehensive legal research, analysis, and prepare studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence. Review legal documents to identify critical issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.



Prepare and provide legal opinions and advice on various issues, particularly international administrative law, to eligible clients. Participate in negotiating and settling claims and disputes. Draft and advise on legal motions and submissions. Assess evidence for relevance and admissibility, and prepare briefs of evidence. Represent clients before the UN Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal, and in management evaluation requests and disciplinary processes. Provide legal counsel on human resources matters. Offer guidance to junior staff. Analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for planning and decision-making.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international law is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may substitute for the advanced degree.

Work experience: A minimum of five years of progressive legal experience, including analysis, research, and writing, is required. Two years of litigation experience at the national or international level, with direct experience presenting and leading witness evidence before a court or tribunal, is also required. Experience within the UN common system or similar international organizations is desirable.

Skills: Legal principles and procedures, legal research and analysis, legal writing and drafting, litigation, client representation, data analysis, communication, professionalism, client orientation.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian

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📌 Legal Officer (Región Metropolitana)
🏢 UN Secretariat
📍 Región Metropolitana