Legal Officer

Official apply source: United Nations Careers job opening 271533. The public source mirror links directly to the official UN Careers application page and lists a 24 June 2026 deadline.

This Legal Officer position is located in the Nairobi office of the Appeals and Accountability Section of the Administrative Law Division, Office of Human Resources, Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. The Legal Officer reports to the Chief of Section and supports internal justice, conduct and discipline matters for the UN Secretariat.

Responsibilities

• Representing the Secretary-General in written and oral proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.
• Handling issues related to international, public, private and administrative law, including interpretation and application of instruments governing United Nations activities and operations.
• Conducting legal research and analysis and preparing studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Reviewing legal documents and identifying important issues, similarities and inconsistencies.
• Preparing background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries.
• Preparing legal opinions and advice on international public or private law issues, including constitutional and administrative law of the Organization.
• Preparing agreements and supporting negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes in administration of justice matters.
• Assessing evidence for relevance and admissibility and preparing briefs of evidence.
• Providing legal advice on human resources and administrative matters.

Education and experience

• Advanced university degree in law is required, or a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
• Two years in litigation at the national or international level, including first-hand experience appearing and leading witness evidence before a court, tribunal or equivalent body, is required.
• Experience in administrative and employment or labour law is required.
• Experience with staff regulations, rules, policies, procedures and operations of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable.

Languages and assessment

English is required and French is desirable. Evaluation may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview. The United Nations states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment.