Senior Legal Assistant
Senior Legal Assistant
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Job Description
Hardship Level
Family Type
Family Type
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Deadline for Applications
Standard Job Description
Senior Legal Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Legal Assistant is a member of the protection team in the Country Office. He/she reports to the (Associate) Legal Officer.
The Senior Legal Assistant 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 the 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.
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 cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Assist in monitoring the emerging legal acts and judicial practice.
- Contribute to legal analysis and review.
- Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
- Draft correspondence and other documents as requested.
- Cooperate with partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders as assigned.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Law; Post-Sec Training Certificat; Human Rights;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
Not specified.
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.
Desired Candidate Profile
Within the Law and Policy activities of MCO Italy and in close coordination with External Relations colleagues the incumbent will regularly monitor and report on Parliamentary proceedings concerning topics under the mandate or of interest to UNHCR and contribute to the analysis of new legislation and development of relevant recommendations including through the drafting of legal and policy documents.
The candidate must be proficient in Italian and English have excellent drafting skills in both languages as well as strong analytical skills combined with a pragmatic solution and result-oriented outlook to successfully manage the role. The candidate should have the ability to think and execute strategically and possess strong interpersonal and team building skills. Previous experience in RSD and notably collaborating with the judiciary or in other protection fields would be 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 short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Assessment of short-listed 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
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
Desired languages
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link:
of Position: The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy San Marino the Vatican City Malta and Cypruscountries situated at the nexus of Europe North Africa and the Middle East and characterized by varied asylum landscapes distinct legal frameworks and differing capacities for refugee protection. This sub-region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements into Europe particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land secondary movements and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. While numbers fluctuate the centrality of these countries to European migration dynamics remains consistent. Italy and Malta in particular remain among the primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa renders Italy a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) efforts and for Italy in receiving persons rescued at sea. Cyprus facing a growing number of asylum claims relative to its population and capacity has become a significant point of concern due to overcrowded reception facilities and the need for strengthened asylum procedures. San Marino and the Vatican City though not primary asylum destinations are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy moral leadership and resettlement or complementary pathways especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations. In Italy the number of asylum applications lodged rose in 2024 to the record number of nearly 159.000. The RSD system from the access phase to second instance is facing historical challenges in ensuring fairness and efficiency of the procedure notably in view of the forthcoming application of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. In this context the incumbent building on her or his legal expertise will contribute to Law and Policy activities of the office as well as to the design and implementation of judicial engagement initiatives and other RSD-related activities. S/he will monitor analyze and report on national and international case-law and judicial trends in the asylum and related fields. S/he will contribute to strategic proposals aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency while preserving fairness as well as promoting dialogue between asylum authorities at all levels. Consistently with UNHCR capacity development planning and priorities s/he will design and conduct training for decision makers at first and second instance and other relevant interlocutors on legal and case law research as well as other RSD-related topics. S/he will support the National Asylum Commission and notably its Quality Unit in the development of tools and products requiring legal analysis and/or judicial awareness. S/he will perform when necessary as focal point for selected Territorial Commissions. The incumbent will also act as a liaison and provide technical support to the Specialized division on Immigration and International Protection of Rome Court and to other selected Specialized Divisions and Court of Appeals for which targeted interventions will be developed in line with MCO Italys strategy of judicial engagement. Within the Law and Policy activities of MCO Italy and in close coordination with External Relations colleagues the incumbent will regularly monitor and report on Parliamentary proceedings concerning topics under the mandate or of interest to UNHCR and contribute to the analysis of new legislation and development of relevant recommendations including through the drafting of legal and policy documents. 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 inter-agency 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/EEA-issued 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 non-EU/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 English-speaking 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 Education Certifications Work Experience Competencies UNHCR Salary Calculator Additional Information Functional clearanceLiving and Working Conditions:
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
