Request from
United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials
Office of the Coordinator/Deputy Director of Administration
JOB DESCRIPTION
RAS-014-08-P090-01-V (July 2009)
General Information
Title: Associate Expert in Legal Affairs
Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year)
Date Required: as soon as possible
Duty Station (location, sector): Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Supervision
Title of the supervisor: Legal Officer
Content and methodology of the supervision: Working as a team with the Legal
Officer to support the Coordinator/Deputy Director of Administration.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations:
Under the general guidance of the Coordinator/DDOA and the direct supervision of the
Legal Officer, the incumbent will carry out the following responsibilities:
Assist in drafting legal opinion on issues on matters pertaining to the UN staff regulations
and Rules and the Financial Regulation and Rules;
Assist in drafting position papers on institutional and legal matters pertaining to the
administration and running of the ECCC;
Assist in the preparation and smooth conduct of the Plenary sessions of judges;
Assist the secretariat of the Review Committee and the Judicial Administration
Committee by providing research, liaison and drafting minutes, as required;
Assist in maintaining international judges appraised of developments at the ECCC;
Conduct research on issues of international administrative law, as well as international
and domestic criminal procedure;
Research and draft proposals for ECCC Practice Directives and other internal legislative
instruments;
Prepare legal briefings for the Legal Officer on pertinent developments and practice in
other international and hybrid tribunals;
Perform any other assignments as required.
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in general and
international law or related field. A first level university degree with a relevant
combination or academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the
advanced university degree.
UN competencies: Professionalism - In-depth knowledge of legal procedures and
instruments and experience in applying legal expertise to analyzing and resolving a
diverse range of legal issues and problems. Sound judgment in dealing with sensitive and
complex legal issues. Communication – strong interpersonal and communication
(spoken, written and presentational) skills. Team work – ability to establish and maintain
effective working relations with people of multi-cultural and ethnic backgrounds with
sensitivity and respect for diversity. Planning and Organizing – proven ability to plan
organize and prioritize work effectively.
Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional working experience in
legal field.
Languages: The official working languages of the Extraordinary Chambers are Khmer,
English and French. For this post, fluency in English and/or French, in writing and in
speech, is essential. Knowledge of Khmer is as asset.
Learning Elements
After the assignment the ASSOCIATE EXPERT will be able to
 Acquire experience and skills of a Legal Advisor in the UN and international tribunal
context.
 Conduct legal analysis and draft legal opinions, position papers on institutional and legal
matters pertaining to the administration and running of an international court;
Background information
 Agreement between the United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia
concerning the prosecution under Cambodia Law of Crimes Committed during the period
of Democratic Kampchea
 The General Assembly resolution 57/228
 Reports of the Secretary-General on Khmer Rouge Trials