Legal Analyst (Open to Tier 1 candidates only)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
 

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

United Nations Volunteers is a global programme and shared service for the UN system hosted and administered by UNDP. UNV provides volunteer solutions to UN entities across development, humanitarian and peace and security pillars as per system-wide UN development assistance frameworks and/or UN entity-specific global, regional and country programmes, development and humanitarian projects and, where appropriate, global Memoranda of Understanding or other relevant instruments between UNV and respective UN entities. In addition, UNV provides volunteer advisory services to UN Member States and, on their request, carries out relevant intergovernmental mandates. The Administrator of UNDP is also the Administrator of UNV and delegates strategic management of UNV to its Executive Coordinator.

Part of the UNDP Bureau for Management Services (BMS), the UNDP Office of Legal Services (BMS/OLS) is the exclusive source of legal advice to the Administrator and all UNDP business units, and to UNV as an administered fund of UNDP under the authority of the UNDP Administrator. As an essential part of UNDP's institutional integrity, the BMS/OLS ensures that UNDP and UNV perform their mandates on a firm legal basis in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the regulations approved by the Executive Board and the rules and policies promulgated by or under the authority of the Administrator. The BMS/OLS also enables effective delivery programme by helping provide integrated management solutions for UNDP offices, including identifying legal risks and suggesting measures for their mitigation. In addition, the BMS/OLS protects the legal interests of UNDP and UNV by defending them in legal actions. UNDP’s General Counsel is the Director of the BMS/OLS, and its Administrative Law Practice (AL) and Corporate and Institutional Law Practice (C&I) Team Leads (Senior Legal Advisers) provide overall supervision of the work of the P2.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Legal Specialist (P4) for day-to-day supervision and under the overall supervision of the Senior Legal Advisers, heads of the AL and C&I teams, the Legal Analyst supports BMS/OLS in providing legal services and support to UNV on a broad range of matters related to regulations and policies applicable to UN Volunteers and UNV staff, and corporate and institutional legal issues. The Legal Analyst contributes by conducting legal research and analysis, preparing draft written products and case documentation for review, supporting case management and knowledge management, and assisting with the development and maintenance of legal templates and tools.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.     Support the provision of legal support to UNV related to administrative law services, contributing to knowledge management  

2.    Provision of legal support for the representation of UNDP/UNV in formal cases involving staff members

3.    Provision of legal advisory support for the review and implementation of UNV policies and procedures

4.    Provide support for the provision of legal advice to UNV on UN Volunteer-related issues

5.    Support the provision of legal advice to UNV related to corporate and institutional law services

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Competencies

Achieve Results

Think Innovatively

Learn Continuously

Adapt with Agility 

Act with Determination

Engage and Partner

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Knowledge of applicable legal framework: 

Legal Research:  

Legal Writing Skills: 

Communication:  

Knowledge Generation:  

Systems Thinking:  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Experience:

Languages:

Disclaimer:

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.