Associate Legal Officer

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 19 2025

Associate Legal Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Legal Officer is a member of the protection or legal team either at Headquarters (within the Division of International Protection or in a Regional Bureau) or in a Country or Sub-Office. He/she may report to the (Senior) Protection or (Senior) Legal Officer Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices the post may report directly to the Representative. The incumbent may have direct supervisory responsibility for protection or legal staff who may include community services registration resettlement and education.

The Associate Legal Officer is relied upon by the Office to coordinate quality timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (POC). Another important function of the position is to ensure that POC are involved 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 build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern authorities protection and assistance partners as well as a broader network of stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing protection.

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
- Monitor the development of law and doctrine.
- Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
- Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
- Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
- Provide inputs to the formulation of protection strategies.
- Liaise with DIP Division and Bureau work units and external actors to enhance awareness of protection principles.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
- Assist in the development of project proposals and project implementation.

- 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

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law; Refugee Law; Human Rights Law;
International Humanitarian Law; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Learning Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent legal research analytical and drafting skills.
Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection would be an asset or any other equivalent external courses.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
LE-Legal Research
(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.

A detailed knowledge of international and national law policy and standards relevant to forcibly displaced and stateless people in Australia New Zealand and to a lesser extent the Pacific region are essential.
Substantial demonstrated experience with legal research and analysis; political awareness sound judgement and decision-making are essential.
The incumbent must have high-level drafting ability demonstrating attention to detail and clear accurate communication of complex issues of law policy and fact.
Strong communication skills more broadly written and oral are required including in cross cultural contexts.
The desired candidate should have a first level or higher degree in law/international law/IHL/human rights law and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning.
The incumbent must have strong time-management including the ability to function effectively and manage priorities in a high-volume and high-pressure work context.
The incumbent must demonstrate integrity and accountability function effectively and flexibly in team contexts as well as working independently with limited supervision.
A sound understanding of UNHCRs mandate and its role as a United Nations agency and humanitarian protection organisation is required.
The incumbent should be able to engage with empathy and professionalism with refugees and others under UNHCRs mandate as well as with government civil society stakeholders and both senior and junior colleagues.
The incumbent should approach challenges with creativity and openness to appropriate innovation.
Knowledge and/or experience of parliamentary processes tribunal or court processes and/or policy and process formulation by government is highly desirable.
Experience in development and delivery of training on relevant technical aspects of international or national law is desirable.

Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries allowances and benefits please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at:

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview processing or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector Generals Office (IGO) at through the online complain form at or by confidential fax:.

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 Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Canberra is responsible for the promotion of refugee protection and solutions in Australia New Zealand Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Island States (Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Niue Palau Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu and Vanuatu). The office also works on statelessness and engages a wide range of actors including government officials civil society other UN agencies and the international community private sector and other donors and refugees and refugee-led organisations. The MCO comprises 12-15 staff based at the MCO office in Canberra.

The Associate Legal Officer reports to the Senior Protection Officer (NOD) and is a key position within the Legal and Protection Unit and the office. The incumbent provides considered accurate and timely advice and analysis on complex international and domestic legal and policy issues relating to the spectrum of UNHCRs mandate and responsibilities across the MCOs region. The incumbent conducts legal research and evidence gathering and demonstrates exceptional drafting and communication skills negotiation political sensitivity judgement and diplomacy. The incumbent engages with key stakeholders internally (within the MCO Regional Bureau and Headquarters) and externally (including government counterparts legal advocates civil society and refugee/community representatives).

At present the Associate Legal Officer focuses primarily on the implementation by Australia and New Zealand of their international obligations toward forcibly displaced and stateless people. The incumbent will develop and support the coordination of parliamentary engagement to promote the adoption of laws that comply with international obligations. The incumbent will also seek to ensure quality decision making in relation to forcibly displaced and stateless people and promote the implementation of fair processes to reduce risks of refoulement and increase access to rights under international law. They will monitor reception and detention conditions affecting forcibly displaced and stateless people and promote improvements in law and policy.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation LE-Legal Research

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Law

Certifications

HCR Learning Program - UNHCR

Work Experience

Competencies

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

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Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance