The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is looking to recruit an associate legal officer (space law). The successful applicant will be under the supervision of the Chief of Section. Furthermore, they will contribute to planning and implementing the project Space Law for New Space Actors activities. As a result, they will provide technical legal assistance to emerging space-faring nations to draft their national space law and policy.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to formulating and developing the project Space Law for New Space Actors. Explore and update trends of capacity-building in space law and policy;
- Participate in fundraising activities, identify prospective donors and liaise with others to build partnerships under the project. Substantively support the preparation and signing of any necessary legal and funding agreements under the project with Legal Officers by coordinating with relevant services of UNOOSA and the donor/requesting country. Implement the activities under the project, including advocacy, outreach and awareness raising, and coordinating, preparing and delivering training courses and workshops;
- Assist in organising, coordinating arrangements, and participating in technical advisory missions, including delivering presentations on space law and policy-related topics/activities;
- Support the administration and management of the project by preparing budget plans and draft cost plans, monitoring and reporting on the status of implementation, including utilisation of the funds;
- Contribute to liaising with donors and other project stakeholders, and prepare post-mission and workshop deliverables and outcome reports, including donor substantive and financial reports;
- Carry out research and studies on various legal and political issues relating to outer space activities. Collect, review, analyse and present data, documents and other information on space law and policy;
- Contribute to preparing and reviewing various written outputs, such as background documents, training course materials, presentations, policy proposals, legal documents and instruments, etc.;
- Prepare inputs for publications, draft speeches, legal statements and presentations related to the project for the Director;
- Provide substantive inputs on matters related to the ratification and implementation of treaties and implementation of guidelines, and assist in reviewing relevant legal documents, instruments, or other material(identify important issues, similarities and inconsistencies).
- Compile background information and documentation on the implementation of resolutions and international treaties. Monitor national situations, conduct research and prepare studies on overall responsible national space activities situation of requesting countries or regions;
- Liaise with relevant parties, counterparts and stakeholders in-house and externally in building strategic partnerships and fostering collaboration;
- Assist in the recruitment of project personnel, draft reports and terms of references/job descriptions, etc.;
- Assist in identifying procurement needs (goods and services) and support the full procurement cycle of the various options;
- As necessary, guide and support staff members, project personnel, interns, non-reimbursable loan and Junior Professional Officers in their work;
- Contribute and participate in other meetings and conferences organised by the Office related to space law and policy;
- Backstop substantive needs for the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, the Legal Subcommittee and their subsidiary bodies, as necessary;
- Perform other work-related duties as may be required.
Competencies
1. Professionalism: The successful applicant should have, understand, or be able to:
- The United Nations Member State cooperation environment on space affairs and technical cooperation;
- Business development and partnership building;
- Theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international space law and policy;
- Policies and practices in responsible national space activities as well as the mandates of UNOOSA;
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis on a wide range of relevant topics in the area of space law and policy;
- Use various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases;
- Interpret, develop and present results and formulate conclusions, recommendations and opinions clearly and concisely;
- Develop tailor-made capacity-building courses;
- Deliver training courses, presentations on space law and policy-related fields and design training modules and interactive sessions;
- Administrative, budgetary and financial policies and procedures;
- Apply judgement in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
2. Client Orientation: The successful applicant should be able to:
- Consider all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seek to see things from clients’ point of view;
- Establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
- Identify client’s needs and match them to appropriate solutions;
- Monitor ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
- Keep clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
- Meet the timeline for delivery of products or services to the client.
3. Planning & Organising: The successful applicant should be able to:
- Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
- Identify priority activities and assignments;
- Adjust priorities as required;
- Allocate an appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
- Foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning;
- Monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary;
- Use time efficiently.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in governance, international law or a related field is Necessary. However, UNOOSA may accept a first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience in lieu of the advanced university degree. Specialisation in a field relevant to international space law and policy is desirable.
Furthermore, UNOOSA will accept a first-level university degree with no experience if such a candidate has passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management and administration OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is necessary.
Furthermore, the following is also necessary:
- Experience in implementing activities in a space-related field;
- Experience engaging with international partners and donors supporting the development of international partnerships, including fundraising;
- Experience in international law and international policy, including legal analysis, research and writing;
- Experience in organising, developing, and delivering capacity-building and training courses on space law and policy, to countries, in particular, developing countries.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. As a result, UNOOSA strongly encourages female candidates to apply for this position. Interested applicants can apply through this portal. The deadline for applications is 23 November 2022. Furthermore, you can get more information regarding the opening here.
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