Legal Associate

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

March 18 2025

Legal Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Legal Associate is a member of a protection team. S/he normally reports to a higher grade Legal Officer.

The Legal Associate assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with an office in making decisions that affect them whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation. Additionally the Legal Associate is expected to contribute to the capacity building activities for local and central state authorities in the area of protection of persons of concern either directly or in cooperation with partners.

The Legal Associate assists an office in providing quality timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. S/he is also required to assist an office in ensuring that persons of concern are involved with the office in making decisions that affect them whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. In addition the Legal Associate is in charge of the offices corporate legal work and advises on all matters of Labour Law affecting refugees.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UN Staff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional crossfunctional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
Monitor the development of law and doctrine.
Provide input to assist in analysis of relevant emerging legislation in line with protection and humanitarian principles international law and standards.
Provide inputs to selected advocacy efforts of the operation.
Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
Liaise with relevant state authorities at central and local levels partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
Provide guidance and support in the formulation of protection strategies.
Assist in handling individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of international law refugee and human rights law.
Prepare protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
Participate in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
Liaise and intervene with local authorities on the legal issues pertaining to persons of concern.
Assist in providing legal advice on all cases referred from all units of UNHCR most notably RSD RST and Registration.

Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Law Human Rights Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Previous relevant legal related work experience.
Desirable
Experience in facilitating training.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection or any other equivalent external courses.

Functional Skills
*CODrafting and Documentation
*LELegal Research
TRTraining Virtual and face to face
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

MCO Italy is looking for a solid candidate with proven understanding of the Italian operational context as well as expertise of the asylum system in the country and notably of the access to the RSD procedure phase. The candidate must have excellent legal analysis skills excellent drafting skills in English and Italian as well as a creative solution and resultoriented outlook to successfully manage the role and coordinate with the RSD and statelessness team as well as with other MCO Italy colleagues. The candidate should have the ability to think and execute strategically and possess strong interpersonal and team building skills.
Expertise on the international framework on refugee status determination and on the Italian asylum legislation and procedures are required as well as proficiency in English and Italian while previous experience in registration and collaboration with Police forces are an asset.


Additional Information:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.

English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Assessment of shortlisted candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability gender identity marital or civil partnership status race color or ethnic and national origins religion or belief or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing training or any other fees).

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

In case of any queries please contact the Italy HR Team at

English

Italian

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link:

of Position:

UNHCRs Office in Italy is a multiCountry office responsible for Italy San Marino and the Holy See. Italy plays an important role in refugee protection in Europe remaining one of the major points of arrival for persons seeking protection in Europe mostly arriving by sea via the Mediterranean.

Inmigrants and refugees originating from 57 countries arrived in Italy by sea and Italy received almost 50 of all sea arrivals to Southern Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. Whereas numbers have gone down in 2024 compared to 2023 when 157651 people arrived by sea it is anticipated that Italy will continue to receive the largest number of sea arrivals to Europe as well as a significant number of arrival by land and air.

While there are fluctuations in levels of arrivals the drivers of the movements from Africa and the Middle East moving along the Central Mediterranean and Balkan routes continue to remain or worsen because of the various crises and political tensions.

In this context the incumbent under the supervision of the Senior Protection Associate (RSD and statelessness) will contribute to the design coordination and implementation of activities aimed at ensuring unhindered fair and efficient access to the RSD procedure. In view of the forthcoming application of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum s/he will contribute to MCO Italys advocacy efforts and support to the Italian authorities in the adaptation of the domestic legal framework by performing legal analysis elaborating recommendations advocacy papers and messages aimed at a protectionsensitive implementation of the Pact notably for what concerns the access to the procedure phase. In line with UNHCRs strategy of support to all phases of the RSD procedure s/he will promote monitoring of timing and quality of the access to the RSD procedure including possible obstacles or delays developing ad hoc monitoring and reporting tools recommendations on solutions evidencebased advocacy papers and messages keeping the Office abreast of all relevant developments and timely alerting on critical situations. S/he will ensure dialogue with local Questuras TCs specialized divisions of local Courts and other relevant interlocutors and support interinstitutional coordination on the access to the procedure. In close collaboration with involved authorities and relevant colleagues the incumbent will lead the development of information packages and training materials on registration and contribute to the design and delivery of training sessions for personnel of Immigration Offices and other relevant stakeholders. The incumbent will also contribute to the conception and design of any useful tools and to the development of SOPs especially in view of the novelties introduced by the EU Pact. Whenever needed s/he will contribute to MCO Italys wider activities of legal analysis and advocacy quality and protection monitoring and reporting.

Living and Working Conditions:

Rome is a HQ Duty Station. Italy has a strong UN presence (more than 10 Agencies Programmes and Funds totaling more than 6000 staff) and is offering high standard of living conditions and relatively high cost of living.
There is no RC System hence no formal interagency coordination system other than the DO for Security related matters. FAO leads the UN team and collaborates closely with Rome based WFP and IFAD HQ.
The Italian authorities will issue a visa and residence permit to UNHCR international staff members. Before arriving at a new duty station finding an accommodation will be a priority. There are some limited facilities to access Duty Free privileges. Buying a new vehicle is a lengthy process while buying second hand is even more complex. The public transport system is relatively reliable and most colleagues have elected to reside in the office neighborhood.
A valid driving license issued by a European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member state is automatically accepted in all other member states. People with EU/EEAissued drivers license who take up residence in Italy are not required to exchange it for an Italian license.
Holders of a standard driving license issued from a nonEU/EEA country may drive in Italy using the foreign license for up to one year after obtaining residency.
Medical care is up to international standards.
UN International expatriates are covered by the medical insurance provided from their workplace. No additional medical coverage is required. A list of Englishspeaking doctors can be provided upon request by the FAO Medical Services.
There are several international schools in Rome. The academic year for schools in Italy is from September to June. Generally schools have long waiting lists and it is advisable to register your child at school as soon as possible. You should also find out about the specific admission requirements at the school. Transfer certificates from previous schools and academic records are usually required. Contracts are made between the school and private individuals regarding payments of school fees.
This means any deposits and commitments to pay fees are your responsibility and not the UNs.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CODrafting and Documentation LELegal Research TRTraining Virtual and face to face

Education

Certifications

Human Rights Other Law Other Political Science Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Judgement & decision making Organizational awareness Planning & organizing Policy research & development Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance