Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law is required.

Job Description:
The Legal Group (LG) advises UNOPS management, project offices, regional offices, and other specialized units within UNOPS on institutional, commercial, and administrative law matters. Legal Advisors at UNOPS provide legal advice in areas of public international law, dispute resolution, commercial law, and administrative law. This includes topics such as host-country agreements, privileges and immunities, disputes with external parties, administrative/HR law, partnership agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and the establishment of hosted initiatives, joint programs, and multi-donor trust funds. The work also involves collaboration with outside counsel, pro bono law firms, and the UN Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) as needed. The Dispute Resolution Practice within LG provides in-house legal services related to commercial disputes involving UNOPS.

About the Role:
The Legal Specialist is a member of LG’s Dispute Resolution Practice and reports to the Legal Advisor, Dispute Resolution. The role focuses on providing timely and efficient dispute resolution advice to protect UNOPS from financial and reputational risks in its global projects. The Legal Specialist may also provide advice on administrative, institutional, and commercial law matters. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, adaptable, and experienced in handling complex legal issues in a fast-paced environment. The role requires collaboration with UNOPS offices worldwide and a good understanding of the diverse environments in which UNOPS operates. The Legal Specialist reports to the Legal Advisor, Dispute Resolution, and exercises authority as delegated by the General Counsel. Complex and high-risk matters should be escalated to the Legal Advisor. Occasional travel may be required. The duty station is flexible and may be Copenhagen (Denmark), Panama City, or another Latin America and the Caribbean country where UNOPS has a presence (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, or Uruguay).

Job Responsibilities:
1. Provide Dispute Resolution Advice

• Provide legal advice in connection with disputes between UNOPS and external parties arising from commercial contracts to protect the organization from financial and reputational risks.
• Represent UNOPS in settlement negotiations, mediations, conciliations, and arbitration proceedings, with the support of outside counsel as needed.
• Provide other dispute resolution support as required.

2. Provide Other Support to UNOPS Operations

• Advise on UN privileges and immunities.
• Review and negotiate legal agreements.
• Support the application, interpretation, and development of corporate policies and best practices.
• Provide other legal advice falling under LG’s responsibilities as needed.

3. Contribute to Business Efficiency

• Support reporting on UNOPS’ liability risk and maintain records of disputes for audit and record-keeping purposes.
• Analyze LG-related data to identify risks, opportunities, and trends.
• Collaborate with other legal advisors and policy units to address project challenges and find timely solutions.
• Support development and improvement of UNOPS’ regulatory framework.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives ensuring alignment with organizational policies and systems.

4. Contribute to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Contribute to legal knowledge management across UNOPS.
• Share dispute resolution and legal information for dissemination to relevant stakeholders.
• Stay updated on internal and external legal developments and best practices.

Competencies:

• Develops sustainable strategies and anticipates the impact of decisions.
• Treats all individuals with respect and upholds ethical norms.
• Acts as a positive team role model, motivates others, and maintains strong relationships.
• Takes initiative, ensures quality results, and uses resources responsibly.
• Adapts to change, performs consistently under pressure, and pursues continuous improvement.
• Makes pragmatic, data-based decisions and applies innovation to problem-solving.
• Communicates clearly, listens actively, and manages conflict effectively.

Job Requirements:
Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Law plus two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.
• Must be qualified to practice law in a national jurisdiction of a UN Member State.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional legal experience is required.
• Experience in dispute resolution and knowledge of international commercial arbitration is required.
• Prior experience as an arbitration lawyer in a law firm is a strong asset.
• Experience advising on UN privileges and immunities is a strong asset.
• Experience providing legal advice to a government agency or international organization is a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish is a strong asset.

Contract Details:
Contract Type: Staff
Contract Level: P3
Duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Location: Addis Ababa

How to Apply:
Apply through the official UNOPS portal:

Apply Here