Legal Officer

UNOPS

Sep 9, 2019 (4 years ago) 0 Comments



Organizational Context 

The Legal Officer is a member of the protection team either at the Branch Office. He/she will report to the International Legal Consultant and the Assistant Representative for Protection. The Legal Officer is relied upon by the office to plan and coordinate UNHCR’s advocacy for the ratification of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (better known as the  Kampala Convention) in Ethiopia through 1) arrangement of meetings, workshops and trainings with government authorities as well as consultations with internally displaced persons, 2) legal analysis and research, particularly into domestic law 3) contribute to capacity development of authorities to enable the domestication of the Kampala Convention.  The incumbent also acts as an advisor to senior management on Ethiopian law and represents the organization to authorities, UN sister agencies, partners and other stakeholders on protection doctrine, law and policy. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT 

Responsibilities and Duties 

  • Coordinate meetings and capacity development activities with government actors in support of UNHCR’s advocacy for the ratification of the Kampala Convention.
  • Provide administrative support to the International Legal Consultant.
  • Organize consultations with internally displaced persons and local authorities on changes to laws and policies
  • Advocate with the relevant stakeholders such as government officials at both Federal and Regional levels to further legislative reform in respect of the rights of the internally displaced.
  • Provide and/or supervise the unofficial translation of legal code into English when official versions do not exist.
  • Research domestic law to support the drafting of national IDP legislation as well as to draft legal opinions and comparative analysis in relation to Internal Displacement.
  • Analyse current laws and policies in Ethiopia and verify the degree to which it is in accordance with international legal standards for prevention of displacement, protection of displaced persons and solutions to internal displacement (also known as a legal audit), with the aim of highlighting any gaps and/or obstacles to the full enjoyment of the rights of persons displaced.
  • Engage with external partners and stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, etc, on issues related to legal protection principles and related international law including most significantly the Kampala Convention.
  • Monitor the development of law and doctrine in Ethiopia.
  • Advocate for proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection. 

Authority 

  • Represent Office in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts.
  • Prepare legal documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES 

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Technological Awareness
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Policy Development and Research
  • Political Awareness
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Change Capability and Adaptability 

Essential Minimum Qualification and Professional Experience required 

  • University degree in law, preferably with focus on human rights and/or international humanitarian law.
  • Minimum 8 years of previous job experience relevant to the function (6 years in case of advanced university degree).
  • Previous experience in coordination and information exchange between national and regional government counterparts.
  • Excellent legal research, analytical and drafting skill.
  • Excellent knowledge of English and Amharic. Fluency in the other local languages is an advantage. 

Desirable qualifications and competencies. 

  • Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection would be an asset or any other equivalent external courses.

Submission of Applications

This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only. 

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

IMPORTANT

Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter the P11 Form and or the most recent fact sheet through the online application system.

Candidates may be required to sit for a test.

Due to the volume of applications only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview.  

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