The Hague, Netherlands
Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Leidschendam
Legal Officer
Vacancy Ref: NL-OTD-LAS-P3-954R1
Deadline for Applications: 27 December 2019
Issuance Date: 27 November 2019
Location: Leidschendam
Organ / Section: OFFICE OF THE DEFENCE
/ Legal Advisory Unit
Post Level: P-3
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package will be offered. The successful applicant will be offered a fixed-term appointment of one-year duration or until 31 December 2020. This appointment and any subsequent extension(s) will be subject to terms of the Tribunal’s mandate and/or the availability of funds. The Tribunal is an international inter-governmental organization with its own independent legal identity and not a United Nations (UN) organization. However, the Tribunal follows the UN common system of salaries, allowances and benefits to its staff members. UN staff members may also serve on loan from their parent department/office, if selected.
The recruitment process may include a pre-screening exercise, written tests and competency-based interviews.
A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this particular profile as a result of this selection process for both fixed-term established and general temporary assistance posts.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
It is not necessary at this stage to send copies of qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications, etc.
Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. The Tribunal is not in a position to respond to queries regarding information on the status of vacancies or unsolicited open applications.
The Registrar reserves the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. All applications will be handled with strictest confidentiality.
Eligibility will include consideration of potential conflicts of interest.
- The English version of this vacancy announcement is authentic. The French and Arabic versions, if available, are not official translations and are provided for information purposes only.
- Note: This is a re-circulation to widen the pool of candidates. Candidates who have previously applied for this vacancy do not need to re-apply.
Responsibilities
The Defence Office is one of the four organs of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Its mandate is to promote and protect the rights of the accused. The Head of the Defence Office is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in consultation with the President of the Tribunal.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Chief of the Legal Advisory Section (LAS), the incumbent performs a wide range of legal functions within LAS. The section is tasked with providing legal advice to defence counsel and self-represented accused. In addition, the section supports the Head of the Defence Office with legal advice as needed in the performance of her functions.
The staff in LAS should be able to undertake any of the activities in the Section as listed below. The responsibilities are as follows:
Advice for defence counsel:
- Conduct legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in criminal law and procedure before international courts and domestic tribunals and other areas of specialization including laws on terrorism and international human rights law – by using multiple research (electronic) sources, selecting relevant material, analysing information and presenting findings for internal review.
- Draft legal memoranda, reports and briefs on the abovementioned issues. Catalogue, summarize and analyse relevant materials. Maintain databases of relevant materials.
- Conduct meetings with counsel and other defence teams’ members.
- Provide legal advice to defence counsel and self-represented accused on any legal issues before the court.
- Monitor STL proceedings with a view to identifying key legal issues affecting the rights of the accused and their counsel.
Advice for the Head of the Defence Office:
- Assist in the preparation of legal submissions to the court during the pre-trial, trial and appeals phases of the proceedings in relation to matters of general interest to the defence, the fairness of the proceedings and fundamental rights of the accused and in the drafting of decisions delivered by the Head of the Defence Office;
- Conduct legal research and draft advice to the Head of the Defence Office on a variety of legal issues.
-
- Assist in the development of legal training for defence counsel and the persons assisting them in the areas of law mentioned above.
- Draft agreements, contracts, policies and other documents for the Head of the Defence Office.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Legal Advisory Section.
Knowledge and Skills
- Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyse information on a wide range of legal issues. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. 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. 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.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and has the ability to understand concepts from clients’ point of view; establishes and strengthens 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 anticipates potential complications; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; and finalises work and delivers required products or services within deadlines.
- Judgment/decision-making: Identifies the key issues and considerations in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them or makes a recommendation.
Qualifications
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law with specific training in international, criminal or international criminal law. A first-level university degree with specific training in international, criminal, or international criminal law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Work Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant legal experience with an emphasis on criminal law or international criminal law (7 if in possession of a bachelor level degree). Experience in defence work at international criminal tribunals and/or criminal practice at the national level are strong assets. Knowledge of and/or experience in Lebanese criminal law is a strong asset.
- Languages: Arabic, English and French are the official languages of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required, and a good command of French is highly desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset.
- Other: Strong organizational, drafting, and interpersonal skills; proven ability to conduct comprehensive legal analysis; proven ability to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines; knowledge of international criminal justice systems highly desirable. Proficiency in the use of computer tools.
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
More Information
-
USD
Month