Legal Assistant

Job title:

Legal Assistant

Company

United Nations Development Programme

Job description

Under the supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor, C+I, the Legal Assistant is responsible for the following areas:

Provides high-level and administrative and paralegal support to Legal Advisers and Specialists in C+I

• Reporting to the Senior Legal Adviser and Head of C+I, the Legal Assistant provides general office support including processing, drafting, editing, proofreading, and finalizing for signature/approval a variety of correspondence and/or specialized legal documentation.

Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date log of matters handled by C+I, and knowledge management system, working closely with the Senior Legal Adviser on the knowledge content, and to make improvements to such systems, and prepare data and analytics based on such systems:

• Monitor log and bring any overlaps or gaps to the attention of the Senior Legal Adviser.

Provide administrative support, including purchasing, recruitment, budget administration and payments, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

• Setting up and maintaining electronic and hardcopy files including retirement, storage and
• retrieval as appropriate.
• Schedule appointments and meetings, prepare documents and monitor deadlines.
• Perform other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Handle a variety of verbal and written inquiries from internal and external parties, including providing detailed information on processes and procedures related to legal instruments, issues, etc.

Conduct basic research on assigned matters using existing various sources of information, including UN/UNDP databases, the Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, legal files and/or alternative sources; verify facts, identify citations, percentages, accuracy of figures.

Maintains internal databases on cases for logging, tracking, and trend analysis and knowledge management, maintenance of the C&I information on the OLS intranet.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results:

• Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

• Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously

• Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility

• Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

Act with Determination

• Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner

• Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Administration and Operations – Priority Setting

• Ability to scan and synthesize diverse sets of information to arrive at administrative priorities and recommendations.

Administration and Operations – Documents and Record Management

• Overall record management (electronic or hard); registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.

Technical – Legal (General)

• Knowledge of legal issues facing the UNDP and ability to apply them to practical situations.

Effectiveness – Quality Assurance

• Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to ensure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled

General – Office Administration

• Ability to manage day-to-day office activities (including travel management, facilities and asset management, policy and procedures maintenance) to meet operational needs.

Partnership – Team Building

• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals.

Partnership – Communication

Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary/high school diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal or prelaw studies is desirable.
• A paralegal certificate, although not required, is a distinct advantage.

Experience:

Required

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience for applicants with a secondary/high school diploma, or two (2) years of relevant work experience for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree. Experience in a legal office is an advantage.
• Experience in handling MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in English, both written and oral.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of another UN language desirable
• Paralegal Certificate is an advantage.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Expected salary

Location

New York

Job date

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 23:39:39 GMT

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