Associate Legal Officer, Field Legal Office, Amman

## Associate Legal Officer, Field Legal Office, Amman - Organization:UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East - Office:UNRWA Amman, Jordan Description of assignment title:Associate Legal Officer, Field Legal Office Assignment country:Jordan Work location:On UN premises Expected start date:02/01/2027 Duration:12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances Sustainable Development Goal:1. No poverty Volunteer category:Associate UCoS from Apr2026 Work schedule:Full-time Number of Assignments:1 Mission and objectives: - UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to help and protection to a population of 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. - The Jordan Field Office, UNRWA provides technical and operational direction, supervision and monitoring to the delivery of the Agency’s programmes of education, health, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement at field level; develops and implements the field’s strategic and operational plans and budget, responds to emerging needs, working to directly influence the protection and care of Palestine refugees. The Field Legal Office provides legal assistance to the Jordan Field Office management and staff in order to facilitate its operations. - Under the direct supervision of the Head, Field Legal Office, the UN Volunteer will be assigned various responsibilities depending on the key needs for support to the Agency’s operations. The UN Volunteer will assist the Field Legal Office in providing legal and technical advice to the Jordan Field Office. The UN Volunteer will assist the Head, Field Legal Office in ensuring consistent interpretation and application of the Agency’s regulatory framework and in providing legally sound, timely, easily applied, politically sensitive and consistent advice on matters related to UNRWA’s operations in the Jordan Field. Specifically, the UN Volunteer may be assigned to any of the following duties: - • Conduct legal research and analysis on the interpretation and application of public international law, including United Nations law, international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practices, particularly in relation to the protection of Palestine refugees and the provision of humanitarian assistance to them. - • Assist with the drafting, review and negotiation of all types of field-related contractual modalities, including contracts for procurement of goods and/or services, the construction and maintenance of buildings, use of land, lease agreements, memoranda of understanding, related to Field operations and in support of the Agency’s delivery of services to the Palestine refugees. - • Assist with advising on the status and mandate of the Agency, privileges and immunities and related responsibilities of the Agency and its personnel. - • Support the Agency’s operations by providing legal advice, training, outreach and assistance on matters relating to administrative and employment law, including on matters related to investigation and disciplinary processes. - • Advise on resolution of contractual and tortious claims against the Agency and its staff members in their official capacity, including assisting in overseeing, supporting and conducting negotiations and settlements. - • Participate in the development and delivery of training programmes to UNRWA employees working in the areas of operations on topics relevant to the legal framework of UNRWA. - During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback. - Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment. Additional eligibility criteria: - This assignment is funded by the Government of Switzerland. Only candidates who have been pre-selected by Switzerland (cinfo) are eligible to apply. Assignment requirements - English, Level: Fluent, Required - Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Required education level: - Master's degree in Law Competencies and values: - • Adaptability and Flexibility - • Commitment and Motivation - • Planning and Organizing - • Respect for Diversity Skills and experience: - • Demonstrated interest or experience (ideally one year) in, legal work within the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, the private sector, or NGOs. - • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. - • Experience in humanitarian, contract, commercial, administrative or employment law is an asset. - • Working relationships: establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a diverse team environment. - • Communication: a high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical writing experience in a legal context, including the ability to present information and data in a clear and instructive manner, combined with superior skills in legal writing, analysis, and expression in form of drafting legal opinions, papers, and positions. - • Analysis: strong analytical and evaluative skills combined with sound judgment, including the ability to apply legal knowledge and practice to strategic, policy, and operational objectives. - • Negotiation: negotiation skills, with the ability to positively influence others to reach mutually benefiting understanding. 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