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Job Title:    Legal Officer

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.

Click
Here

Deadline: 16^th December 2019

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