Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Peace Operations, Office of Rule and Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Justice and Corrections Service (JCS). The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to United Nations peacekeeping operations and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of United Nations, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peace operations. JCS serves as a centre of expertise on justice, corrections and related rule of law areas within the United Nations Secretariat and supports the work of justice and corrections components in United Nations peace operations and other United Nations entities. It assists host countries to deliver essential justice and prison services, strengthen criminal justice systems, and facilitate rule of law reforms. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Service or her/his delegate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: • Monitor, review and analyse justice and corrections issues in peace operations and other conflict and post-conflict contexts; • Maintain regular contact with missions and other United Nations field presences; • Provide written guidance to missions and feedback to periodic reports and code cables from missions; • Contribute to the work of and coordinate with Integrated Operational Teams (IOTs) and DPPA-DPO regional teams and United Nations regional offices • Contribute to the development and implementation of policy and guidance in the rule of law area. • Provide strategic information, advice and support to the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), other United Nations entities, and Member States relating to justice and corrections matters in peacekeeping; • Provide guidance on justice and corrections issues; • Review draft Secretary-General”s reports and ensure that mission challenges, priorities and achievements are adequately reflected; • Review Security Council resolutions and strive to ensure that mission mandates appropriately address judicial and corrections matters; • Provide strategic information, advice and support to DPO/DOS, DPPA and Member States relating to justice and corrections matters in peace operations; • Advise United Nations budgetary bodies on mission budgetary submissions; • Plan justice and corrections aspects of peace operations and provide technical and operational guidance and support to field personnel; • Lead and/or participate in field assessments, reviews or technical support missions and draft mission review reports; • Ensure the implementation of recommendations resulting from mission visits; • Prepare, review and edit talking points, memoranda, meeting notes and other documents; • Conduct training workshops, seminars, make presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Perform other duties as requested by the Chief of Service or his/her designate.

Competencies

Professionalism: • Demonstrated knowledge of judicial and correctional system issues, including knowledge of criminal law and/or criminology and relevant international human rights standards and their relationship and linkages to the broader post-conflict recovery/developmental framework and initiatives • Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives • Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to identify and articulate issues that require a coordinated United Nations response • Judgment in providing strategic advice and applying technical expertise to a wide range of complex and unusual problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions • Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to judicial affairs, corrections, and the rule of law and knowledge of the institutions of the United Nations system. • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results • Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master”s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal academic, legal consultant, criminologist or international legal or rule of law advisor is required. This must include at least one year in a regional or international organization supporting the development or reform of legal, judicial or correctional institutions in a transitional, development or post-conflict setting, or at least one year providing such support in a transitional, development or post-conflict setting outside the incumbent”s own country of origin. Experience working on justice, rule of law and corrections issues in an international peace operation is required. Experience with United Nations budget processes and strategic planning is required . Experience planning and facilitating rule of law coordination and programming between United Nations entities, bilateral donors and national counterparts is desirable. Experience in convening and engaging Member States to marshal support for initiatives in support to the rule of law is desirable. Experience working on justice and rule of law initiatives in Africa is desirable. Experience working in United Nations headquarters is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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).

Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for an initial period of up to 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will 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 and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • 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. 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.

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.