The UNICC workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. UNICC seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity by ensuring equal opportunity and an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Purpose of the Position:

The purpose of the position is to manage the end-to-end contracts lifecycle for UNICC, including provision of expert review of contractual documents. Such reviews involve negotiations, exchange of comments with external counterparts, internal teams as well as Host Organization Legal counsels, in order to minimize legal risks associated with the contractual processes.

Objectives of the Programme:

The objective of the Centre is to provide trusted ICT services and digital business solutions to its Clients and Partner Organizations.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Senior Policy Officer (Legal) (MSL), and in close collaboration with Host Organization Legal counsels as well as relevant UNICC teams, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Review, draft, adapt and interpret contracts and other agreements with private sector entities to ensure that UNICC’s interests are promoted and protected, while noting the applicable legal context, and accounting for acceptable business risk
• Review contractual provisions and ensure adherence with UNICC Mandate as well as relevant rules and regulations
• Act as primary focal point for regular liaison with Host Organization Legal counsel on contractual matters
• Liaise with Geneva-based organizations and participate in relevant inter-agency networks to support UNICC alignment with best practices on contractual matters
• Proactively support contractual aspects of procurement initiatives, provide guidance during contract drafting, negotiation and clarification of legal aspects
• Lead contract close outs including identifying, documenting, and disseminating best practices and lessons learned
• Develop contract compliance checklists, templates and guidelines, including training material and delivery of in-house training on aspects of contract management
• Oversee contractual compliance matters in close collaboration with the Procurement Section (MSP) and provide reports to management upon request
• Within the terms and conditions of the contract, work towards resolution of disputes or performance issues arising in cases of poor performance and/or non-compliance with contractual obligations
• Assist in responding to complex inquiries, including legal aspects of official correspondence and drafting of formal contract-related notices
• Identify legal issues, review drafts and advise on legal aspects of internal and external documents and correspondence
• Respond to queries and legal requests from internal stakeholders, acting as a focal point within UNICC
• Attend meetings and provide advice on emerging issues and questions related to contracts, including but not limited to meetings with vendors and clients
• Collaborate across UNICC teams in the continuous improvement of contract administration, gathering feedback from stakeholders, proposing and implementing process improvements, and providing expert input to strategic initiatives

Other duties:

• Keep abreast of and advise on relevant regulatory frameworks and developments in contract administration in the United Nations system
• Provide ad-hoc legal support across UNICC teams, when necessary
• Participate in specific projects as a subject-matter expert on contractual and legal matters
• Provide other ad-hoc support either within the team or in other teams as required – this includes the participation in special projects or support to digital delivery for short period of time on a part-time or full time basis upon request from the senior management

Experience and Skills required:

Essential:

• Five (5) or more years of international experience in the areas of Legal affairs associated with Procurement and/or Administration
• Proven experience in management of contracts in the area of Procurement and Customer engagement
• Contract authoring, review, and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to review, interpret and adapt business terms and legal clauses consistent with organizational mandates and broader legal frameworks
• Proven problem-solving capabilities

Desirable:

• Experience with UN system entities legal frameworks, including procurement rules and process
• Private sector experience in business or commercial contract administration
• Experience in the ICT sector and/or advising on ICT-related legal and contractual matters

Education*:

Essential:

• First university degree in Law

Desirable:

• Additional training or certification in public procurement, public administration and management or related field
• Additional training or certification in law and technology-related domains (e.g., data protection and privacy law, intellectual property law, legal aspects of artificial intelligence etc.)
• Additional training or certification in international law or the law of international organizations

Languages:

• English: Expert knowledge is required
• French: Intermediate knowledge is desirable

Global Competencies:

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts.
• Communicating: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively. Produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations. Respects differences and ensures that all can contribute.
• Producing results: Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develops and strengthens internal and external partnerships that can provide information, assistance and support to UNICC. Identifies and uses synergies across the Organization and with external partners.