UN Associate Legal Officer Job Careers – United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (UNRSCE)
Job Title: Associate Legal Officer
Organization: United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (UNRSCE)
Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Job Opening Number: RSCE/GJO/ALO/010/06/2017
Reports to: Chief of Unit
Grade: NO-B
About UNRSCE:
The Regional Service Centre Steering Committee is the decision-making body for RSCE, in compliance with General Assembly resolutions, United Nations Secretariat rules and regulations, strategic guidance from United Nations Headquarters and oversight bodies. The Steering Committee consults with the Global Field Support Strategy Implementation Coordination Team, as required.
The Regional Service Centre, as approved by the Member States, is owned, managed and staffed by the regional missions it serves. This framework reinforces the existing missions’ chain of command structures and lines of authority in a manner that does not create an additional layer between Headquarters and the regional missions. It also ensures that staffing for RSC.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, and under the supervision and guidance of the Team leader, the Associate Legal Officer will carry out the following duties:
- Render support in preparing responses to audit queries and reports based on the responses provided by the different RSCE Service Lines and relevant offices where applicable.
- The incumbent will also facilitate the field visits of the oversight bodies and the Audit Response Unit, arranging the oversight assignments, including provision of facilities, such as office space, access to systems, planning and preparation of documentation. Ensure that relevant programme managers and support staff are available during the course of oversight assignments.
- Arrange, attend and take notes at the entrance/ exit conferences and subsequently ensures that agreed actions arising are taken. Facilitateand coordinate matters arising during the course of assignments between the Mission and oversight bodies, including advising Mission Representatives on informal and preliminary responses, such as responses to audit observations.
- Compile self-assessment reviews results and suggested audit, inspection and evaluation inputs for the annual work plans of the oversight bodies (the United Nations Board of Auditors, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
- The jobholder will also liaise with RSCE Service Lines to facilitatesubmission of their comments/ responses to outstanding recommendations and self-assessment reviews.
- Ensure quality and timely responses are submitted to all stakeholders.
- Regularly monitor the implementation of audits recommendations and guide RSCE on the actions required to implement outstanding oversight recommendations.
- Build an audit and other oversight tracking databases to enable regular reporting process.
- Provide monthly update/ report on the status of implementation of outstanding BOA, JIU, OIOS recommendations to the Chief Compliance and Monitoring Officer.
- Build and update an Audit database and other oversight tracking databases regularly.
- Ensure that the internal controls of the RSCE are updated and followed-up, through regular monitoring exercises, discussions and feedback with Service Line Managers.
- Support the team leader in translating new Administrative Instructions into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Service Lines, as well as maintaining the RSCE Service Line TORs and Process Guides in coordination with other Units in the Office of the Chief RSCE.
- Undertake random reviews of transactions to ensure their compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.
- Render support to the team leader in administering the RSCE’s accountability framework to ensure that staff receive the required designations and delegations in a timely manner.
- Make recommendations to strengthen internal controls and mitigate potential risks for adequate compliance to rules and regulations and good governance to RSCE.
- Interact with Service Lines to identify risk issues and provide innovative solutions to mitigate associated risks.
- Assist the team leader in providing advice on risk management strategy and process.
- Work in liaison with other Service Line Managers and the Client Missions as appropriate, to ensure ongoing dialogue regarding risk management and the integration of the management process into both strategic planning and day to day operations.
- Assist on risk methodologies for planning, identifying, analyzing and mitigating RSCE related risks.
- Review the regular ‘Risk Management Report’ of the Centre specifying the activities and progress of the risk management initiative and ensure that all required risk information is recorded in the risk management system for analysis and reporting purposes.
- Under the guidance of the team leader, liaise with the Strategic Planning Unit and others to ensure that risk issues are properly evaluated and adequately addressed.
- Perform any other duties as required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) Associate Legal Officer job opportunity should hold an advanced University Degree, preferably in the field of International Law, Business Administration or related field is required. An additional professional qualification in legal practice or administrative law or audit is desirable.
- A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. An additional professional qualification in legal practice, administrative law or audit is desirable.
- For holders of a Master’s Degree, at least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in International, Commercial or Administrative law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
- At least four years of progressively relevant professional experience in case of a Bachelor’s degree.
- Previous exposure and experience working in international law, administrative law matters at national or international level is desirable.
- Prior experience in risk management and compliance in an international setting is desirable.
- Previous experience in a shared service center is desirable.
- Languages: Fluency in English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.
Personal Competencies:
- Professionalism: Effective management, planning, implementation and coordination of all risk management and compliance matters. Strong internal control mechanisms by timely action to internal and external audit observations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competenceand 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.
- Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of
- time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
NB: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (Application, interview meeting, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan candidates should send their applications with the following documents:
- The United Nations Personal History form (P-11), Download Here; This should be signed
- Copies of academic certificate (s) and/or High School Diploma
- Latest performance evaluation report (for internal UN Candidates)
The applicants with the completed documents are strongly encouraged to apply via e-mail and must include the Vacancy Announcement Number (check beginning of this advert) and Job Title to: rsce2-recruitment@un.org
Deadline: 30th July 2017
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