UN WOMEN Jobs - 84480- Legal Intern

Legal Intern

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-May-2019

Application Deadline :

15-Apr-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The intern will support the Legal team and specifically the Legal Adviser by undertaking legal analysis and research and giving input into the preparation of legal advice to UN Women management, HQ units, regional, multi-country and country offices, including on matters relating to the UN Staff Regulations and Rules, the UN Women Financial Regulations and Rules, UN Women’s resource mobilization and procurement activities, accountability mechanisms, the system of administration of justice, privileges and immunities, and internal operations, policies and procedures.

The primary responsibility of the intern will be to assist in projects aimed at strengthening and streamlining UN Women’s legal arrangements and the establishment of an institutional body of knowledge regarding corporate and operational practices as well as assisting in relation to ad hoc legal issues as required.

A work plan with achievements for the duration of the internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon.

Interns are not financially remunerated by UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the Legal Adviser by undertaking legal analysis and research and assisting in the preparation of legal advice relating to UN Staff Regulations and Rules, including:

The application and interpretation of the Staff Regulations and Rules;
Disciplinary matters, rights and obligations of staff, legal status of staff and their dependents, financial recovery, taxation and insurance issues;
Internal and external investigations into the use of UN Women financial and human resources;
Recovery for losses to UN Women;
Other relevant aspects of human resources management.

Support the Legal Adviser by undertaking legal analysis and inputs in relation to issues arising under the Administration of Justice system:

Provide technical inputs to written responses and other submissions as required on behalf of the Executive Director in response to applications and other submissions filed before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT);
Assist in representing the Administration before the UNDT, including but not limited to, in direction hearings and hearings on the merits. Generally assist in attending to all stages of proceedings before the UNDT, including the conduct of settlement negotiations and/or mediation proceedings where required;
Liaise with UN/OLA regarding UNDT cases involving UN Women, UN/OLA’s representation of the Secretary-General before the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), in cases involving UN Women, and other administration of justice related issues.

Support the Legal Adviser by undertaking legal analysis and research and assisting in the preparation of legal advice relating to UN Women’s relationships with member states and issues of privileges and immunities, including:

Identify and resolve issues of privileges and immunities of UN Women, its officials and experts on mission, in consultation with the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (UN/OLA);
Provide input into the preparation, review and negotiation of host country, conference and other agreements, constitutive instruments and other legal texts and instruments required for the conduct of operational activities carried out by UN Women in the various Member States, in consultation with UN/OLA;
Address possible criminal conduct by UN Women officials, experts on mission, or other third parties, for possible referrals to the national authorities of the appropriate Member States, and with respect to investigations and proceedings relating to UN Women, as conducted by Member States.

Support the Legal Adviser by assisting in the review, negotiating and drafting of UN Women’s agreements arising out of its resource mobilization and procurement activities:

Prepare, review and negotiate UN Women donor and partner agreements, and prepare standard forms of contracts for use by UN Women;
Prepare, review and negotiate commercial agreements and contracts for UN Women, and prepare standard forms of contracts for use by UN Women;
Review, negotiate and settle claims and disputes arising from agreements, contracts and other arrangements, including commercial claims and disputes involving the Organization.

Support the Legal Adviser by performing research and analysis and providing input into issues arising out of UN Women’s policy and operational framework:

Draft and interpret policies and procedures governing the operations of UN Women;
Identify systemic or policy changes which may be warranted in order to strengthen UN Women’s accountability and/or allow operational units to carry out their functions more effectively and efficiently, including continual review and updating of standard agreements, texts, policies and procedures, in consultation with the concerned substantive units.

Under the overall supervision of Legal Adviser, contribute to knowledge building and sharing in UN Women:

Enhance knowledge within UN Women about legal matters through participating in and preparing training programmes;
Develop and maintain the Legal Support intranet site.

Learning Objectives:

Increased understanding of UN Women’s work and the UN system
Learning different aspects of legal issues arising in an international environment
Meeting and networking with UN Women colleagues in other units
Work as a team member in a multicultural setting

Competencies

Core Values:

Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism

Core Competencies:

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example
Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
Ability to write clearly and concisely
Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: http://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-employment-values-and-competencies-definitions-en.pdf

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

The intern must have studies in law at the university level.
Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or have graduated from a graduate school programme and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Language:

Proficiency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) are welcome.

Application Information:

• UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

• Selected applicants must provide the internship application, two letters of recommendation, proof of health insurance and school enrollment, passport, and visa (if applicable)

UN Women Internship Policy:

1. Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);

(c) Have graduated with a university degree (as in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

2. UN Women internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;

3. All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;

4. UN Women accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;

5. The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;

6. Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any position in the professional and above categories in UN WOMEN during the period of the internship or for six months immediately following the expiration date of internship;

7. The intern must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan, proof of school enrollment, a scanned copy of his/her passport, two letters of recommendation, and application