UNHCR: Legal Officer – 15 February, Brussels

UNHCR is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.

UNHCR’s has an active presence in Europe and is closely engaged with key actors in finding solutions to the current crisis in Europe. UNHCR’s Bureau for Europe works closely with European institutions, international organisations, NGOs and other entities. The Bureau’s Policy and Legal Support Unit is based in Brussels and liaison offices faciliate engagement with the Council of Europe, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and Frontex.

Promoting respect for international protection norms in European law and policy is of vital importance to UNHCR, and the agency, accordingly, provides guidance and assistance on a wide range of issues related to its Mandate in Europe. UNHCR has a supervisory and advisory role in relation to compliance with the 1951 Convention. In the European context, this role is referenced in the key instruments of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and is exercised, inter alia through guidance, technical assistance, legal commentaries and judicial engagement.

To support the work of the Policy and Legal Support Unit (PLUS) at the Bureau for Europe, UNHCR is seeking the assistance of a Legal Officer with the following role:

Role of the Legal Officer:

• Working under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer and as part of the PLUS team, the Legal Officer will:
• Provide guidance on the content of EU law, European Regional instruments, jurisprudence and standards relevant to the Mandate of UNHCR;
• Conduct research on the law relating to specific themes or developments at European level;
• Assist in the preparation and drafting of UNHCR observations/comments on proposals or new measures which may impact upon the protection space in Europe;
• Monitor developments and gather, analyze and disseminate, as relevant, information on key issues within UNHCR and to key partners;
• Work in close coordination with UNHCR colleagues in Brussels, Geneva, Regional Representations and other key Units within UNHCR;
• Liaise with interlocutors within the EU institutions, international organisations, NGOs, Members states and academia;
• Provide assistance to colleagues working in communications/external relations on the content of European law and compliance issues;
• Facilitate the organisation of events in co-ordination with key partners;
• Participate in conferences and external meetings as part of the UNHCR team;
• Other duties as relevant

Qualifications required

• University Master’s degree in law or other relevant areas
• Excellent knowledge of UNHCR’s Mandate, international refugee law and the Common European Asylum System
• Excellent drafting skills and communication skills
• Demonstrated negotiation, networking and presentation skills.
• The candidate must have excellent English language skills.

 Experience required

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience
• Experience of legal work in the field of refugee law in Europe
• Experiece of work in an international setting and of working under pressure

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential

Starting Date: 22 February 2016

Envisaged Duration: 22 February 2016 to 31 December 2016

Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium

Remuneration: UNOPS International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA) terms and conditions. Salary range IICA-2 level: 6,000 – 12,000 USD per month, depending on qualifications and professional experience.

Closing Date for Applications: 15 February 2016

Interested candidates must complete a Personal History (P.11) form available at www.unhcr.org/recruit/p11new.doc. The P11 form and a letter of motivation must be sent by email to belbrhr@unhcr.org with “UNOPS PLUS” in the subject line prior to midnight on 15 February 2016. No additional documents should be sent.

Please note that:

• Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
• Short-listed candidates may be required to sit a written test as part of the selection