Legal Officer

About the role

The Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA) within the Office of Administration of Justice is seeking a Legal Officer to join its team in Nairobi. Reporting to the Chief of OSLA, the officer will provide independent legal assistance to United Nations staff members across a range of administrative, disciplinary and appellate matters.

Key responsibilities

• Lead complex legal matters involving international, public, private and administrative law.
• Provide detailed legal advice on challenges to administrative decisions, disciplinary cases and conditions of service.
• Conduct extensive legal research, draft opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Prepare written and oral submissions for proceedings before the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal.
• Review, advise on and draft complex agreements, institutional modalities and other legal documents.
• Participate in negotiations, settlements and dispute resolution processes.
• Interpret and apply staff regulations, rules and administrative decisions.
• Represent clients in tribunal hearings, management evaluations and other recourse mechanisms.
• Coordinate and mentor junior legal officers on significant projects.
• Contribute to the design of new legal instruments, policies and internal systems.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in law (LL.M. or equivalent) with strong knowledge of international and UN law.
• Several years of experience handling administrative, disciplinary or appellate matters in an international organization or comparable setting.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent legal analysis and produce high‑quality written opinions.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
• Proven experience representing clients before international tribunals or courts.

Required skills