United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

RECRUITMENT UNIT

Human Resources Section

Job Opening – Internal/External

Job Opening #: MIK (N)15-010 / Deadline: 17 July 2015
Post Title: Legal Assistant / Level: GL- 6
Organizational Unit: Human Rights Advisory Panel (HRAP) / Location: Pristina
UNMIK invites qualified internal staff members as well as external applicants in the relevant occupational group to apply for the position highlighted below. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, Personal History Profile (PHP) or Personal History form (P.11) and copy of the latest twoPerformance reports(if applicable).
Kindly note that applications upon receipt will be reviewed and only applicants who are short-listed will receive an acknowledgement within six weeks from the deadline for submission of applications.
Please indicate the Job Opening number in the subject of your e-mail

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary focus of the Legal Assistant (LA) job is the provision of legal research, servicing meetings and related activities, as well as some general administrative/office support work. The LA, under the general authority and guidance of the Executive Officer and the Legal Officers of the HRAP Secretariat:

  • Conducts basic research on assigned issues, using existing legal files and alternative sources (e.g. computer-assisted searches using the internet, intranet or other databases); verifies facts, identifies citations, precedents, issues to be addressed, etc.;
  • Maintains the HRAP website in Serbian, as well as the HRAP database of open/closed cases;
  • Drafts, edits and conducts final check for accuracy for a variety of specialized documentation, including case-related correspondence (in Serbian and English);
  • Maintains regular contacts with the various associations of missing persons families and internally displaced persons in Serbia and in Kosovo;
  • Manages individual Legal Officers’ and Panel Members’ case files, ensuring that all related correspondence and other documentation are appropriately filed, registered and followed up as necessary;
  • Monitors and ensures the office’s compliance with the UN rules in relation to transmission of confidential correspondence and handling of confidential/sensitive information and files;
  • Coordinates the maintenance of a body of legal reference files, both paper and electronic, to ensure rapid retrieval of critical information; identifies material for inclusion in files and coordinates with archives on retirement, storage and retrieval of files;
  • Maintains the delegation and deadlines lists; tracks status of assignments and deadlines;
  • Provides technical assistance for sessions and meetings;
  • Provides general office support services; processes, drafts, edits and finalizes for signature/approval a variety of correspondence and other communications, specialized legal documentation; budget, finance, travel documents, inputs in various UN administrative databases; sets up and maintains schedules appointments/meetings, monitors deadlines, etc.;
  • Monitors the Serbian and English media, for articles on the HRAP and other relevant human rights issues and brings them to the attention of the HRAP; and
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

Professionalism– Knowledge of organizational legal framework, relevant legal processes, procedures and terminology for review, examination, preparation and processing of legal documents. Ability to conduct research using diverse legal research sources (including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other data bases). Ability to review and synthesizes information and present findings and recommendations in a required format. Knowledge of information management, classification and retrieval systems. Respect to the confidential and sensitive material he/she handles. Ability to show tact and discretion in dealing with the complainants with confidential matters and materials. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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.

Communication:Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; respects the confidentiality of the information within the office.

Teamwork:Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; learns from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:High school diploma is required. A university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in law, human rights, or related fields would be an asset.

Experience:At least seven (7) years work experience in paralegal work / case management and general office support in a juridical office (court/prosecutor’s office/law office/legal department) or related area is required. Experience in human rights field is desirable. Previous experience with the UN is desirable. Experience in communication with parties and other relevant offices, orally and in writing, is required. Experience with basic simple legal research of human rights jurisprudence, especially that of the European Court of Human Rights or a similar juridical human rights body, is desirable. Experience with administrative and case-related databases, as well as maintenance of websites is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English required. Fluency in Serbian (preferably – native language) is required. Knowledge of Albanian is desirable. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

As specified above,internal/external applicants are requested to submit a cover letter referring to Job Opening No. MIK (N) 15-010 along with completed PHP/P11 to the attention of Human Resources Section by mail, fax or email to the following addresses:

PP.O. Box 999,10000 Pristina, Kosovo,

Fax No: +381-38-504604 ext 5848

E-mail to

The UN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications equally from men and women. It is a UN Policy to give full consideration to disabled candidates whose disablement does not militate against the effective performance of the duties of the post.