About UNAIDS: We, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), lead the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. By placing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to reduction of inequalities at the heart of our work, we lead the global response to AIDS by: (i) maximizing equitable and equal access to HIV services, (ii) breaking down barriers to achieving HIV outcomes, and (iii) integrating efficient HIV responses into wider health and protection systems.
We are committed to creating an equal, safe and empowering workplace culture where all people in all their diversity thrive. We live our values of Commitment to the AIDS Response, Integrity and Respect for Diversity.
MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Management promotes effective governance of the Joint Programme and provides strategic direction to overarching management functions in the areas of change management, human resources (HR), finance, budget, information technology and administration to enhance UNAIDS\\\' capacity to implement its mandate and vision.
The People Management Practice in the Department of Management (DPM) employs a strategic approach to the effective and efficient management of people in UNAIDS by designing human resources management policies and systems; providing efficient human resources (HR) services through a network of human resources business partners and supporting the implementation of the organizational performance management and staff development process. The Practice also hosts the corporate facilities management unit.
Located within DPM, the Policy and Legal Unit (HPL or the \"Unit\") is responsible for providing legal support and advice in HR operations and implementation of legally sound human resources management across UNAIDS, ensuring adherence to Staff Regulations and Rules. HPL provides policy and legal advice on all HR issues, including in relation to compliance, conduct, and disciplinary matters. The Unit is responsible for handling the Administration\\\'s response to requests for administrative review, appeals before the WHO Global Board of Appeal, disciplinary matters and provision of legal support and advice in other informal and formal dispute resolution processes (e.g. Global Rebuttal Panel, Classification Review Standing Committee). HPL also coordinates the development of UNAIDS\\\' human resource management policies reflecting organizational needs and best practice, and providing advisory services to the Organization, with a view to ensuring consistent and equitable policy application.
Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Human Resources Management (HRM), the incumbent will perform the following tasks in support of UNAIDS:
1. Provide authoritative advice on legal issues in accordance with international administrative law.
2. Provide legal advice to the UNAIDS Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance (MER) as well as other senior officials on a wide range of highly complex and sensitive legal and administrative matters, including disciplinary measures, involving substantive and procedural issues relating to international administrative law and administration of justice.
3. Developing legal arguments and strategies to best represent UNAIDS interests involving difficult and complex issues in a manner consistent with legal precedent, UNAIDS and/or WHO practice.
4. Propose preventive measures and actions to mitigate risk and to strategically position UNAIDS for possible challenges before adjudicative bodies, tribunals and entities designed for conflict resolution, such as the HHO Global Board of Appeal (GBA) and the ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).
5. Conduct or oversee administrative reviews in response to requests from UNAIDS staff members contesting administrative decisions. Representing the UNAIDS Secretariat in proceedings before internal bodies, including the WHO Global Board of Appeal and UNAIDS Global Advisory Committee on Harassment. Liaising with colleagues in HRM, WHO Legal, the Chair and Deputy Chairs of the WHO Global Board of Appeal, Internal Audit and Oversight (IOS) and the Office of the Ombudsman, as may be required.
6. Reviewing and providing authoritative policy and legal advise on HR issues, including disciplinary matters, performance management rebuttals, interpretation of staff regulations and rules, policies and procedures.
7. Advising on settlement of major claims and disputes in the HR realm, including evaluating of merits of claims, establishing the strategy and approach to settlements and deciding on the legal text setting out settlement terms and conditions.
8. Writing and developing briefing notes and positions papers on HR policy issues and/or new HR policies and strategies to address UNAIDS specific operational needs, ensuring consistency with staff regulations, staff rules and the UN common system.
9. Providing authoritative legal advice and input on HR aspects of agreements, secondments, loans and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).
10. As delegated by Director, HRM, representing UNAIDS in external for a, collaborating in inter-agency HR policy discussions, meetings and working groups of the Human Resources Network, International Civil Service Commission and partners in the UN common system to promote UNAIDS HR interest, and representing UNAIDS on the WHO Global Staff Management Council.
11. Manage the Policy and Legal Division by organizing and prioritizing workload and allocating assignments to Policy/Legal Officers and by coordinating work with internal and external partners.
12. Organizing and supervising legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions relating to the law of the international civil service and the administration of justice by overseeing the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence relating to such issues.
13. Perform other duties as may be assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: Advanced university degree at the Master\\\'s level in law, or equivalent.
Desirable: Studies or certifications related to human resources management.
Competencies: UNAIDS Values 1. Commitment to the AIDS response 2. Integrity 3. Respect for diversity
Core competencies 1. Working in teams 2. Communicating with impact 3. Applying expertise 4. Delivering results 5. Driving change and innovation 6. Being accountable
Managerial competencies: 1. Leading Teams 2. Building Relationships and Networks 3. Developing and Empowering Others 4. Managing Performance and Resources 5. Vision and Strategic Thinking 6. Exercising Sound Judgement
Experience: Essential: 10 years of relevant professional experience in human resources and law, including considerable experience within the UN common system on legal matters related to HR areas of responsibility; experience in drafting HR policies and dealing with complex administrative law issues and in negotiating and drafting agreements, experience in contract administration, implementation of conditions of services, and related processes. Experience in administrative and labor law.
Desirable: Experience with ILOAT appeals and grievance processes. Experience in the application and interpretation of staff rules and regulations. Litigation experience and/or member in good standing of a national bar association.
Languages:
Essential: Proficiency in English and French.
Desirable: Knowledge of additional UN official languages.
Additional Information:
Positions at the international professional category within UNAIDS will be subject to the Organization\\\'s Mobility Policy.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 118,901 at single rate Post Adjustment: 85.1 % of the figure(s) on the left side. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome. Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to the Staff Regulations and Rules of the World Health Organization (WHO) adjusted, as necessary, to take into account the particular operational needs of UNAIDS, and any subsequent amendments.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Note: The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer or promotion of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The medical criterion for recruitment is fitness to work in the particular post. The United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy clearly stipulates that no staff and/or potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.
UNAIDS is committed to providing a work environment that respects the inherent dignity of all persons. UNAIDS has a responsibility to take all appropriate steps to prevent and respond to discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment, including sexual harassment in the workplace or in connection with work. UNAIDS has zero tolerance towards abusive conduct.
Please visit UNAIDS\\\'s e-Recruitment website at: https://erecruit.unaids.org to review and apply to positions. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
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