2 Legal Jobs At UN

1. Legal Officer, P3

2. Associate Legal Officer, P2

Legal Officer, P3

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or equivalent
Experience: 5 years
Location: Nairobi
Job Field: Legal and Regulatory
Application Deadline: 17 August 2026

Key Responsibilities

The Legal Officer will provide legal support and advice across a range of matters within the authority delegated to the position. The role includes the following responsibilities:

• Handle appeals and legal matters involving international, public, national and administrative law, seeking guidance from senior Legal Officers where appropriate.

• Carry out detailed legal research and assess relevant legislation, case law and other legal sources.

• Prepare legal opinions, briefs, studies, reports, correspondence and other legal documents.

• Examine contracts, legal instruments, administrative documents and related materials to identify significant issues, inconsistencies and areas requiring attention.

• Assist with drafting background papers, reports, legislative materials, commentaries and other legal publications relating to areas such as international trade and private international law.

• Support the preparation of legal submissions and motions arising from investigations, disciplinary proceedings or prosecutions.

• Review available evidence and determine its relevance and admissibility in the context of assigned cases.

• Prepare, review and assess evidence briefs and related case documentation.

• Support senior legal colleagues in conferences, commissions, committees, task forces and expert meetings by preparing briefing materials, summaries and meeting reports.

• Represent the organization, or assist senior colleagues in representing it, before arbitral tribunals, courts and administrative bodies where required.

• Provide legal guidance on human resources and employment-related matters and review administrative cases.

• Offer direction and technical support to junior legal personnel.

• Undertake additional legal and administrative responsibilities assigned by management.

Core Competencies

Professionalism

• Strong understanding of legal principles, concepts, terminology and procedures relevant to the review and processing of legal documents.

• Ability to locate and use a wide range of legal research resources, including electronic databases.

• Knowledge of common law and/or civil law systems and their underlying principles.

• Ability to interpret legislation and other legal instruments and communicate findings, recommendations and legal opinions clearly.

• Strong legal drafting skills and the ability to produce quality work while working under pressure.

• Sound legal judgment and the ability to apply it appropriately to assigned matters.

• Demonstrates a high level of professional competence, integrity and commitment to quality.

• Works efficiently, meets deadlines and takes responsibility for delivering agreed results.

• Remains persistent and composed when dealing with complex or challenging legal matters.

• Incorporates gender considerations into professional work and supports equal participation of women and men.

Communication

• Communicates legal and technical information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Listens carefully and responds appropriately to information provided by colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

• Uses questions and active listening to clarify issues and encourage constructive two-way communication.

• Adjusts communication style, tone and level of detail according to the audience.

• Promotes transparency by sharing relevant information and keeping colleagues appropriately informed.

Planning and Organization

• Establishes practical objectives that support agreed organizational strategies.

• Identifies priorities and organizes assignments according to urgency and importance.

• Allocates sufficient time and resources to complete responsibilities effectively.

• Anticipates potential risks and develops contingency measures when planning work.

• Reviews progress regularly and adjusts plans when circumstances change.

• Uses available time and resources efficiently.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Law combined with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted instead of the advanced degree.

Experience

• At least five years of progressively responsible legal experience.

• At least two years of litigation experience at national or international level, including direct experience appearing before courts, tribunals or equivalent administrative bodies and leading evidence from witnesses.

• Professional experience in administrative law and/or employment and labour law at the international level.

• Familiarity with staff regulations, policies, rules, procedures and operational practices of the United Nations or a comparable international organization is an advantage.

Associate Legal Officer, P2

Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or equivalent
Experience: 2 years
Location: Nairobi
Job Field: Legal and Regulatory

Role Overview

The Associate Legal Officer will provide legal and procedural support in disciplinary matters referred to the Office of Human Resources. The position will also assist with human resources and administrative law issues arising from formal proceedings within the organization’s internal justice system, particularly appeals involving disciplinary decisions before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.

Key Responsibilities

• Review disciplinary cases and assist in developing recommendations for appropriate action.

• Support the preparation of formal submissions to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and ensure that all required procedural standards are met.

• Review cases to identify matters that may be suitable for informal resolution where appropriate.

• Assist with representation of the Secretary-General during oral proceedings before the Dispute Tribunal.

• Respond to legal enquiries and prepare appropriate correspondence.

• Draft, review and provide advice on legal documents, submissions and correspondence.

• Analyze administrative law issues and ensure that legal advice and documents are consistent with applicable interpretations and principles.

• Conduct legal research and analyze relevant case law, jurisprudence and other legal authorities.

• Assist in compiling complete and accurate documentation required for disciplinary proceedings and tribunal submissions.

• Maintain relevant electronic databases, registers and case records for the section.

• Perform other duties assigned in connection with the work of the legal section.

Core Competencies

Professionalism

• Good knowledge of legal principles, terminology, procedures and concepts used in reviewing and processing legal documents.

• Ability to conduct legal research using electronic and other authoritative sources.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess legal issues and relevant information.

• Ability to interpret and apply legislation and other legal instruments and present legal findings and recommendations clearly.

• Competence in preparing legal documents and working effectively under demanding deadlines.

• Ability to exercise sound legal judgment when handling assigned matters.

• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and commitment to high-quality work.

• Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, meets deadlines and maintains consistent professional standards.

• Remains composed and persistent when dealing with difficult legal issues or challenging situations.

• Recognizes the importance of gender considerations and supports equal participation in the workplace.

Communication

• Expresses legal and administrative matters clearly in both written and spoken communication.

• Listens attentively, understands information provided by others and responds appropriately.

• Uses clarification and constructive dialogue to ensure issues are properly understood.

• Adjusts communication style and presentation according to the intended audience.

• Shares relevant information openly and ensures colleagues remain appropriately informed.

Planning and Organization

• Establishes clear objectives that support agreed strategies and priorities.

• Identifies urgent and important assignments and adjusts priorities when circumstances require.

• Plans workloads effectively and allocates appropriate time and resources.

• Identifies potential risks and considers alternative arrangements when planning.

• Tracks progress and makes necessary adjustments to ensure work is completed effectively.

• Manages time efficiently and maintains organized case documentation.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law or a related field.

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification may be accepted together with two additional years of relevant professional experience in place of the advanced degree.

• A first-level university degree with no professional experience may be accepted for candidates who have successfully completed the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Examination, United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Experience

• At least two years of professional legal experience, including litigation at national or international level.

• No prior experience is required for candidates who have successfully completed the YPP, NCRE or G to P examination.

• Experience handling administrative law litigation is an advantage.

• Previous involvement in workplace investigations or disciplinary proceedings within an international organization is desirable.

Application

• Legal Officer, P3

• Associate Legal Officer, P2