Chief of Section, Legal Affairs

Org. Setting and Reporting The Office of Legal Affairs is the central legal service of the Organization and provides legal advice to the Secretary-General, Secretariat departments and offices and United Nations organs in the field of public and private law, represents the Secretary-General in legal conferences and in judicial proceedings; performs substantive and secretariat functions for legal organs involved in public international law, the law of the sea and ocean affairs and international trade law; and performs the functions conferred on the Secretary-General in Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. The position is located in the Treaty Section of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). The Chief of Treaty Section reports directly to the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs. Responsibilities Formulates the work programme of the Section, particularly by determining priorities and identifying implementation modalities, and allocates resources accordingly for the completion and timely delivery of outputs; Oversees the administration and management of the Section, including supervision of the preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance; Manages the assignment and completion of tasks within the Section and maintains and evaluates programme performance; Supervises the conduct of research and analysis on a variety of complex and intricate treaty law and other related international law issues; Supervises the provision of legal advice and assistance on treaty-law related questions, including the drafting and interpretation of final clauses of multilateral treaties to be deposited with the Secretary-General and the discharge of the functions of the Secretary-General as depositary of more than 550 multilateral treaties; Promotes the wider participation in the multilateral treaty framework, including through organising treaty events and other activities; Supervises the interpretation and application of the regulations adopted by the General Assembly to give effect to Article 102 of the Charter in order to determine the acceptability of registration requests by States and intergovernmental organisations and directs the execution of the registration or filing and recording of treaties/subsequent treaty actions; Responds to inquiries from Member States, treaty bodies and international organizations, as well as private individuals; Plans and supervises the activities aimed at the dissemination and wider appreciation of international law, including the dissemination of treaty-related information through the Treaty Information and Publication System; Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet high-quality standards; Supervises the processing of treaty-related data and its availability for the desktop and web-publishing shortly after the registration or filing and recording of treaties/subsequent treaty actions, as well as the preparation for publication of the volumes of the United Nations Treaty Series; Supervises the preparation and publication of other publications; Supervises the functioning and further development of the Treaty Information and Publication System; Supervises the organization and conduct of capacity-development activities at Headquarters and at the regional level, including in cooperation with other UN entities; Participates in international conferences and seminars in the field of law of treaties, missions to treaty services of Member States or to intergovernmental organisations; Communicates with Permanent Missions, Governments and international organisations on matters related to the work of the Section; In an advisory capacity to the USG/ASG, contributes to the overall management of strategies, activities and operations of the Office of Legal Affairs; Performs other related duties as requested by the Under-Secretary-General. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge of public international law and its application to legal principles, issues and concepts; knowledge of treaty law and practice; analytical skills, sound judgment and ability taking into account various policy implications. Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations with familiarity of publication processes, including desktop publishing. Understanding of modern computer technology, with particular knowledge of document management systems. 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. 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. Interacts with ease with Member States, international organisations and other stakeholders on issues within the responsibility of the Section. PLANNING AND 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. LEADERSHIP : Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. MANAGING PERFORMANCE : Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision‑making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk‑taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. Education An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law with training in public international law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in public international law is required. Managerial experience in a multicultural environment in an international organization or government is required. Experience in the specialty of treaty law is desirable. Experience designing and applying innovative approaches to address complex organizational challenges is desirable. Experience applying behavioural science insights to strengthen programme design, policy implementation and stakeholder engagement is desirable. Experience using strategic foresight methods, including scenario planning and trend analysis to anticipate future challenges and inform long‑term strategies is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details). Required Languages English – Reading: UN Level III, Writing: UN Level III, Listening: UN Level III, Speaking: UN Level III. Desirable Languages French – Reading: UN Level III, Writing: UN Level III, Listening: UN Level III, Speaking: UN Level III. Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency‑based interview. Special Notice Appointment or assignment against these positions is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre‑approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under‑represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2026 are encouraged to apply: Un‑represented: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor‑Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under‑represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Guinea‑Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non‑smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not #J-18808-Ljbffr