Jobs and Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The Senior Legal Assistant is a member of the protection team in the Country Office. He/ she reports to the (Associate) Legal Officer.
The Senior Legal Assistant assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation.
The incumbent of the post will support the UNHCR Protection Unit in activities related to strengthening the capacity of the national asylum system and improvement of the relevant legal, procedural, and institutional framework. This may include legal research and analysis in areas of public international law, human rights and refugee law standards, as well as development of guidance notes and capacity building of Government personnel, judges, and lawyers. Any relevant experience will be considered an asset.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

- Assist in monitoring the emerging legal acts and judicial practice;
- Contribute to legal analysis and review;
- Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers;
- Draft correspondence and other documents as requested;
- Cooperate with partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders as assigned;
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level;
- Perform other related duties as required.

Notes: All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

All UNHCR workforce members must, individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

- Years of Experience/ Degree Level: For G5 - 2 years of relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year of relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher;
- Certificates and/ or Licenses: Post-Sec Training Certificate; Law; Human Rights;
- Language Requirements:
a) For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English;
b) For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language;
c) For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/ or UN working language of the duty station if not English;
d) Proficiency in Eastern Armenian language.

Competency Requirements: All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/ or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below:
Core Competencies
- Accountability;
- Communication;
- Organizational awareness;
- Teamwork and collaboration;
- Commitment to continuous learning;
- Client and result orientation.

Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical thinking;
- Political awareness;
- Stakeholder management.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 

Applicants are invited to fill in the online application. It is very important that all internal applicants update their fact sheets (languages, education and prior working experience) before submitting their applications.
External vacancies are posted on the external UNHCR website and applicants who do not have internal status must apply through the external UNHCR website. Application and instructions are provided on: www.unhcr.org - Careers - Vacancies - Armenia.
No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and oral interview. The written test will be complementary to the interview.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).
For any technical problems encountered during the on-line application, please contact the UNHCR Armenia HR Unit at: *******@*****.*** well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for problems to be resolved.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.

REMUNERATION/ SALARY: 

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org.

OPEN TO/ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 

Candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: 

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

CONSENT: The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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.

Useful Links:
https://www.unhcr.org/am/en
https://www.unhcr.org/
https://undg.org/document/united-nations-sustainable-development-cooperation-framework/
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
https://armenia.un.org/en