Legal Associate

Grade

GS6

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

H (no hardship)

Family

July 1 2025

Standard Job Description

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 cross-functional 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
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*LE-Legal Research
TR-Training - 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.

This Temporary Appointment (TA) position was approved to continue in 2026 and may be extended until 31/08/2026.

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

For the Romania Operation the Legal Associate will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer under the overall coordination of the Senior Protection Officer in UNHCR Romania. Part of the wider protection team in UNHCR Romanias Country Office in Bucharest the legal sub-team led by the Assistant Protection Officer focuses on access to the territory access to fair and efficient asylum procedures access to temporary protection status access to rights through documentation and the national social protection system and statelessness. The Unit monitors legislative changes that have an impact on asylum-seekers beneficiaries of international protection temporary protection holders and statelessness and oversees legal aid cooperation with the judiciary bar associations and the wider legal community. The Unit also collaborates with academia and provides support to the Protection Working Group an interagency coordination forum of more than 35 organizations engaged in the protection response for persons displaced from Ukraine.

The Legal Associate will prepare legal analyses required for quality timely and effective protection responses to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless people. This essential task involves staying abreast of any legislative changes or initiatives relevant to UNHCRs mandate and to support the timely intervention in strategic situations. Another important function of the position is to support the team in the engagement with central and local authorities that have mandates in refugee protection public administration and legislative/parliamentary activities. Additionally the Legal Associate is expected to support capacity strengthening activities for central and local state authorities in the area of protection either directly or in cooperation with partners. S/he will also be involved in directly assisting cases reaching UNHCR including but not limited to support to UNHCR helpline operators and responses to e-mail queries from displaced persons. S/he will also support the supervisor in monitoring funded legal partnership(s) and ensure optimal cooperation with operational partners. The Legal Associate will actively participate in multi-functional teams jointly with other units of the operation. The staff member needs to demonstrate strong inter-personal and communication skills and possess excellent analytical and English and Romanian drafting skills. He/she is able to establish positive work relationships with a wide range of stakeholders while also being a result oriented and proactive team-worker.

Duties:
-Monitor the development of law and policy including but not limited to those relating to asylum-seekers beneficiaries of international protection beneficiaries of temporary protection the prevention and reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless persons and access to rights for all categories of persons under UNHCRs mandate.
-Analyse relevant emerging national legislation and policies and their compliance with relevant regional and international legal principles and UN policies and standards.
-Carry out legal research as needed to contribute to and develop legal comments and other legal documents and position papers.
-Liaise with relevant state authorities at central and local levels partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
-Provide guidance and support in the formulation and implementation of protection strategies including but not limited to engagement with legal professions (lawyers judges) academia (students professors) and members of the Parliament.
-Support in drafting communications liaising and intervening with local authorities on legal issues pertaining to forcibly displaced and stateless people.
-Act as a back-up for the Quality Assurance Mechanism relating to the quality of asylum procedures in Romania.
-Prepare conduct and contribute to events and trainings related to international protection demonstrating the ability to summarize and present legal provisions in understandable terms including for a non-legal audience.
-Prepare analytical notes talking points and presentations on UNHCR Romanias advocacy priority areas.
-Assist in handling and ensuring timely follow-up of individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of international law refugee and human rights law.
-Support the monthly meetings and follow up on agreements reached at the Protection Working Group.
-Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
-Perform other related duties as required.

Desired Candidate Profile:

Field(s) of Education:
Law International Law Comparative Law Human Rights Political Science.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Law Human Rights Political Science
Certificates and/or Licenses in Law are highly valued.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential
At least two years of previous relevant work experience relating to legal issues.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with national legislation in Romania.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with vulnerable persons.

Desirable
Previous experience working with the UNHCR or the UN is highly desirable whereas previous work experience in other international organizations is an asset.
Bachelor/masters degree in law is highly desirable with a specialization in international human rights law and/or international refugee law being considered a strong asset.
Previous experience working with asylum-seekers beneficiaries of international protection and/or temporary protection holders in Romania is highly desirable.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with national legislation related to beneficiaries of international protection or/and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
Experience in drafting legal documents in Romanian and English.
Previous experience in engaging with various stakeholders including local and/or central public authorities academia and legal professionals.
Experience in delivering presentations and facilitating trainings.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection or any other equivalent external courses.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Romanian with excellent drafting skills in both languages is required.
Knowledge of any other UN language is considered a strong asset.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearances.
Non-EU citizens are invited to upload any residence permits or relevant documents under the Certifications section by selecting the type Personnel Administration Other. Applications by Non-EU citizens will be considered if they are legally in the country.

For further information on how to apply please visit the UNHCR - Application and Selection page at

The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability gender identity marital or civil partnership status race colour or ethnic and national origins religion or belief or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application interview meeting processing training or any other fees).

NOTE: An individual whose mother father son daughter brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of Affiliate Workforce is not eligible to apply.

Remuneration:
In case of appointment a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. G6 - Salary range Monthly NET 8759.63 RON - NET 11105.31 RON.

Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 1.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 18 working days per year).
Pension system: Staff members holding a temporary appointment for duration of 364 days will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).
Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Romania will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

This position doesnt require a functional clearance

English

Romanian

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation LE-Legal Research TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

Education

Certifications

Human Rights - Other Law - Other Political Science - Other

information