UN Legal Officer Job Careers – United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)
Organization: United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)
Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda
Job Opening Number: 19-Legal Affairs-RSCE-127871-J-Entebbe (M)
Reports to: Chief of the Unit
Grade: FS-6
About US:
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.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Risk Management Officer/Audit will be responsible for the following duties:
Oversight and Audit:
- Oversees the preparation and implementation of the annual work plan of the Risk Management and Compliance Unit to ensure work priorities and objectives, taking into account the most effective use of resources;
- Acts as the primary point of contact on all matters relating to the oversight bodies (the United Nations Board of Auditors, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and the Audit Response Unit/Department of Operational Support (DOS). Oversees the findings and recommendations of the oversight bodies to identify material weaknesses and reportable conditions;
- Facilitates the work of oversight bodies by coordinating with the relevant stakeholders in the RSCE and ensures that any recommendations are addressed and all stakeholders are regularly updated.
- Documents, evaluates and tests systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness to ensure (i) compliance with policies and procedures, (ii) accomplishment of management’s objectives, (iii) reliability and integrity of information, (iv) economic use of resources, and (v) safeguarding of assets.
- Facilitates the field visits of the oversight bodies and the Audit Response Unit/DOS. Coordinates initial arrangements for oversight assignments, including provision of facilities, such as office space, access to systems, planning, and preparation of documentation that might be required.
- Ensures that relevant programme managers and support staff are available during the course of oversight assignments;
- Arranges, attends and takes notes at the entrance/exit conferences and subsequently ensures that agreed actions arising are taken. Where necessary, facilitates and coordinates matters arising during the course of assignments between the Mission and the oversight bodies, including advising Mission Representatives on informal and preliminary responses, such as responses to audit observations;
- Briefs auditors on accounting, financial control and reporting procedures;
- Serves as a repository/custodian of all audit records;
- Reviews formal responses to oversight bodies, particularly for factual accuracy, and ensures timely, relevant, and pertinent responses. Critically reviews recommendations and advises Principal Administrative Officer (Chief RSCE) on whether to accept or reject recommendations taking into account, inter alia, the costs of implementation and the benefits that might arise, competing priorities, materiality, and the risk management framework adopted by the Mission, and identifying and suggesting alternative solutions to the problems arising from the findings if the recommendations are to be rejected;
- Follows up on the implementation of BOA, JIU, OIOS, Minimum Operational Security Standards, Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards, Fire, and Aviation Safety recommendations and provides status updates on a regular basis;
- Identifies systemic and repeated issues drawing lessons learned and develops guidelines for the conduct of mission self-assessment reviews;
- Facilitates and monitors the timely submission of letters of representation from Principal Administrative Officer (Chief RSCE) through Senior Administrative Officer (Deputy Chief RSCE).
Administration of Justice:
- Acts as focal point for the administration of justice within the RSCE; assists with addressing all legal cases, including communication with and responses to the Management Evaluation Unit (MEU), the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), the Ombudsman, the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), and any follow-up actions required as an outcome of such cases.
- Receives the cases and coordinates the responses with the relevant parties to ensure that the responses are complete and that all relevant evidence is provided.
Internal Controls:
- Ensures that internal controls of the RSCE are updated and followed.
- Assists 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
- Undertakes random reviews of transactions to ensure their compliance with the relevant rules and regulations
Accountability:
- Assists in administering the RSCE’s accountability framework to ensure that staff receives the required designations and delegations in a timely manner.
Risk management related activities:
- Ensures the alignment of risk management with internal control measures;
- Undertakes research on existing guidance and best practices materials for risk management;
- Works closely with other Service Line Managers and the Client Missions as appropriate, to ensure ongoing dialogue regarding risk management and the integration of the risk management process into both strategic planning and day to day operations;
- Provides guidance on and introduce methodologies for collecting, collating and disseminating data relating to risk management planning;
- Reviews 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;
- Researches into modern audit and risk management techniques and applies them in the performance of the duties;
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) Legal Officer job placement should hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting, international law or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- At least five (5) years’ progressively responsible in any of the fields of processing claims, auditing, finance, accounting, law (including legal analysis, research and writing) or related area, including work at the international level is required.
- At least one (1) year experience in United Nations peacekeeping or other field operation is desirable.
- Experience in translating new Administrative Instructions into Standard Operating Procedures to Service lines is desirable.
- Experience in handling legal and disciplinary matters in a United Nations common system field operation is desirable.
- Experience in a Regional Global Service Centre is desirable.
- Languages: fluency in English is required; Knowledge of French is desirable.
Competencies
- Professionalism –Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and 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.
- Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- 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.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan candidates should send their applications through the United Nations online portal at the link below.
Deadline: 16th December 2019
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