United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
DEADLINEFOR APPLICATIONS:
20 AUG 2012
DATE OF ISSUANCE:
03 AUG 2012
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
Legal Affairs Officer
SECTIONS UNIT:
Legal Affairs Unit
LEVEL
NO - C
LOCATION:
Nairobi
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:
UNSOA/LEGAL/200/2012
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Legal Adviser and within limits of delegated authority, the Legal
Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
1. Handle matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, to
include interpretation and application of legislative and other instruments governing United
Nations activities and operations.
2. Seeking guidance on complex issues from the Legal Adviser. Prepare legal advice on diverse
substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to administration and
management, institutions support, procurement and contracts, peacekeeping and other
operational matters, separately-administered programs and funds.
3.
Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs,
reports and correspondence.
4. Review, advise on and draft contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities
and other legal documents; as necessary, develop new legal modalities to meet unique
needs/circumstances.
5. Review investigation reports and provide legal opinion to the Director on matters of conduct
and discipline implementation or any breaches of the organizations Rules and regulations.
6.
Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes. Represent the organization
in judicial, arbitral or administrative proceedings.
7. Serve on various standing boards and committees of the organization including contracts
committees, property management and claims review boards.
8. Interaction with the Kenya Government officials on matters relating to the Host country
agreement and privileges and immunities of the organization.
9. Liaise with other UNSOA offices and sections in the provision legal guidance and advice.
10. Participate as a facilitator in Mandatory induction briefings to New staff as well as predeployment briefings of AMISOM Troop contributing countries on the mandatory areas
identified by the United Nations from time to time.
11. Provide guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff on straightforward matters.
12. Any other activity deemed appropriate by the Legal Adviser.
UNSOA -c/o UNON P.O. Box 67578-00200 Nairobi Kenya
United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA)
Competencies
 Professionalism - Knowledge of and ability to apply legal principles, concepts and
procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal
documents. This will include:
Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct
research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues
Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure, Ability to apply good legal judgment
in the context of assignments given. ; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or
challenges; remains calm in stressful situations
 Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal
participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork - Works collaboratively
with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’
ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal
agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team
accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates
appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for
contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time
efficiently.

Client Orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and
seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive
partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and
matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the
clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of
progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law with a specialization in international,
administrative, commercial and/or criminal law required. A first level university degree in law
with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of
the advanced university degree.
Work Experience: At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is
required in the practice of law in an international organization, a government, or a law firm, with
substantial experience in international, administrative, commercial and/or criminal law matters.
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of the Somali language will be an advantage.
Other Skills:
Work implies frequent interaction with the following: the Legal Adviser for guidance and
reporting; colleagues and senior officers; counterparts, senior attorneys and officials in
UNSOA -c/o UNON P.O. Box 67578-00200 Nairobi Kenya
United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA)
UN system organizations, governments, law firms and other external entities. The work
will involve external travel out of Kenya.
Qualified candidates may submit their applications including their curriculum vitae or United
Nations Personal History form (P.11) to the address mentioned below on or before the deadline
Email: recruitment-unsoa@un.org
Please quote;
 Vacancy Notice Number and Functional Title in the Subject of the e-mail.
 Attach a copy of the last two performance appraisals.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER (20 AUG 2012) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
Human Resources Officer
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate
Ex-Allied
Wharfage
Limited
in
any capacity
and under
conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.
Changamwe
Road
THE
UNITED
NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE
RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING,
Mombasa
OR
TRAINING).
Applications received after the deadline ( 27/07/2012 ) will not be considered.
UNSOA -c/o UNON P.O. Box 67578-00200 Nairobi Kenya