Chief Judicial Affairs Officer Vacancy

Temporary Internal Vacancy Announcement Chief Judicial Affairs Officer  D-1 Deadline for applications: 28 February 2009 Date of issuance:  19 February 2009 Organizational Unit:  Office of the DSRSG /Pillar I Duty Station:   Kabul, Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement No.: UNAMA-09-SUB-INT-001 Responsibilities (The following duties are generic and may differ depending on the requirements of the mission.) Within limits of delegated authority, and under the supervision of the DSRSG/SRSG or his/her delegate, the Chief of the Rule of Law or Justice section is required to: Participate in the development and implementation of the Mission’s strategies related to the rule of law and the development/reform of the justice and legal systems and, depending on the mission’s structures, the prison system, including by advising national counterparts, providing training, and monitoring the court and legal system; Establish and maintain contacts and effective relations with national legal professionals, government officials and civil society representatives (including counterparts in the Ministry of Justice and other relevant Ministries, Parliament, the courts, associations of legal professionals, law schools, women’s groups, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions and donors, and the media); Advise on and prepare complex legal research and analysis, and prepare outputs such as Section reports and assessments, policy documents and guidelines, and participate in legislative reviews and drafting of commentaries; Participate in coordination mechanisms at Mission level, maintaining close working relationships with relevant components (human rights, police, corrections, gender etc.) and UN agencies, and represent the Mission as required; Perform programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, reporting on performance and results, managing and evaluating staff performance, job interviewing and evaluation of candidates; Perform any other task as appropriately requested by the Director of Section or Mission leadership. Competencies Professionalism - Demonstrated in-depth understanding of judicial and legal systems issues, and knowledge of criminal law and relevant international human rights standards; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. Leadership - Ability to provide technical leadership in overseeing work of junior staff and local experts, and assist them to professionally develop; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work; commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. Judgment/Decision-making - Strong analytical skills and demonstrated sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues and problems. Planning and Organizing - Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision. Communication - Proven and sustained communication (oral and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations. Teamwork - Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Creativity - Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas. ________________________________________ QUALIFICATIONS Education Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience as a practicing lawyer, prosecutor, judge, legal consultant or international legal assistance advisor, is required. This must include at least two years providing technical legal assistance for the development/reform of legal or judicial institutions in a transitional, developmental or post-conflict setting outside the applicant’s country of nationality. Significant management experience is also required. UN field experience, especially in a peacekeeping operation, is desirable. Languages Fluency in spoken and written English or French; knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage and sometimes a requirement. Fluency in the local language may be essential.