UNHCR has just advertised an expert position within the Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section at UNHCR, for a Senior Legal Adviser (Judicial Engagement), at the P4 level. Further particulars are available on the website at https://public.msrp.unhcr.org/psc/RAHRPRDX/EMPLOYEE/HR/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL. For ease of reference the job description is below.

UNHCR is searching for an outstanding lawyer, as they are very keen to find someone who can strengthen their future judicial engagement work, not least their court interventions, and hope to recruit someone with relevant work experience and excellent analytical, drafting and oral and written communication skills. Required qualifications are below. The deadline is short, 18 August 2014.
 

Job description: Senior Legal Adviser (Judicial Engagement)
Job ID: 9838
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Salary grade: P4
 
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
 
Among the various functions and responsibilities of the Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section (PPLA) within the Division of International Protection is leadership on UNHCR's judicial and legal community engagement work, including participation in court interventions in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring implementation of the UNHCR internal instructions, procedures and associated guidance on Court Interventions, 27 March 2014, UNHCR/AI/2014/3, and supporting the legal communities and partners in strategic litigation.
 
The litigation element of the UNHCR's work has grown in many operations over the last few years, with many offices around the world supporting or seeking to support the legal community litigating important issues of law relevant to persons of concern to UNHCR. Through PPLA, the organization annually submits up to 30 written interventions in superior national or regional courts on important points of law and doctrine. Submissions have been made in almost all jurisdictions ranging from Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa; as well as participating in oral hearings, as appropriate. DIP has attempted to absorb these functions and responsibilities within existing positions and by recourse to external assistance (e.g. in the form of pro bono counsel), but it is clear that additional and specialist capacities, including qualifications as barrister/advocate and experience before national and/or regional courts, are needed within the Division.
 
The incumbent of this post will function within PPLA, and report directly to the Senior Legal Coordinator. The incumbent will be required to support the further development and implementation of the judicial and legal community engagement work. The incumbent will be involved in the selection, preparation and coordination of court interventions, which requires the ability to research, analyse and produce clear written texts. S/he will have excellent written and oral communication skills, and good judgement. An ability to absorb and analyse complex material, often very quickly, is an essential skill. Understanding the workings and styles of court processes through past experience will also be essential. The incumbent will also be involved in capacity-building, training activities and the development of associated resources and supporting the field in the context of UNHCR's strategic litigation work. The incumbent will work closely with regional bureaux and with legal/protection staff in the field. He or she will perform his/her functions based on the consultations and collaboration with other colleagues within the Division of International Protection to ensure that the synergies and knowledge resources shared among staff members benefit the policy development and legal advice provided. The incumbent may represent UNHCR with counterparts in relevant external fora. S/he may be required to represent UNHCR before courts.
 
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
 
Accountability
 
• Protection principles and international law as relevant to persons of concern to UNHCR are promoted
• UNHCR’s protection and legal work is guided by a coherent strategy to provide quality protection advice.
• UNHCR’s policies, standards and doctrine are consistently and coherently applied and reflect and take account of international standards and jurisprudence, and are adapted to the country context. 
• Written and oral submissions as part of UNHCR's strategic interventions in courts in multiple jurisdictions are of high quality.
• Provision of legal support and advice.
 
Responsibility
 
• Ensure implementation of and further development of global and country litigation strategies.
• Advocate for proper interpretation and application of law and doctrine.
• Develop UNHCR guidelines and position papers.
• Research, draft and prepare as well as guide the preparation of high quality written and oral submissions to courts in multiple jurisdictions, and otherwise support and guide offices to do so.
• Monitor the development of jurisprudence and share information with interested stakeholders.
• Support the development, design and implementation of a UNHCR caselaw database.
• Provide prompt, principled and accurate guidance and advice on the interpretation and application of international instruments relating to persons of concern, global protection positions and policies and, as required, on the development of situation/country-specific guidance
• Support regional Bureaux and offices in the development of strategic litigation as a protection tool.
• Liaise with other DIP, Division and Bureau work units and external actors to enhance awareness of protection principles, court litigation work and strategies.
 
Authority
 
• Represent DIP/Pillar I in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts.
• Represent UNHCR in higher courts, as required.
• Prepare high quality written and oral submissions to courts in multiple jurisdictions to be cleared by the Senior Legal Coordinator.
• Prepare drafts of documents and policies to be cleared by the Senior Legal Coordinator.
  

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
 
• Postgraduate qualification(s) (masters' degree) in international law with focus on public international law, as well as international human rights, refugee law and/or humanitarian law.
• 10 years of relevant professional work experience (12 years with University degree), at least two of which shall involve exercising rights of audience before national or regional courts, and/or as a qualified court advocate, law clerk, judges' associate or barrister, in either a common law or civil law jurisdiction, or having represented in court asylum-seekers/refugees or stateless persons for a legal aid or non-governmental organisation.
• Admission to practice as a barrister and/or solicitor/attorney in either a common law or civil law jurisdiction.
• Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
 
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
 
• Knowledge and/or experience in international law relating to statelessness.
• Knowledge and/or experience in regional refugee and human rights law.
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish language is highly desirable.

Position competencies

C001L3 - Accountability Level 3 
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3 
C003L3 - Communication Level 3 
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3 
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3 
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3 
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3 
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3 
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3 
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3 
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3 
X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3 
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3

Closing Date

Please note that the closing date is 18 August 2014 (midnight Geneva time).


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