Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

H (no hardship)

Family

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Legal Officer - Commercial Matters

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position of Legal Officer - Commercial Matters contributes to LAS’ pro-active support of UNHCR’s operations, activities and organizational performance, in particular through providing legal advice on the interpretation of UNHCR’s procurement guidelines and financial rules and regulations, the review and drafting of complex commercial contracts, leases or other agreements.

The staff member will function on a largely autonomous basis directly under the Assistant General Counsel or the Senior Legal Officer- Commercial Matters, and may supervise any interns, consultants and staff members. In view of the wide array of clients, he/she is required to work with key clients of LAS including DRM, DEPS, Regional Bureaux and field operations.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Provide legal advice and guidance to the Bureaux, field offices and other UN entities on a wide arrange of complex commercial matters, including contracts and frame agreements for goods and/or services, IT/telecommunications services, managed services, transportation, banking services, construction, architect, field security and audit services.
• Draft and negotiate complex services contracts with suppliers.
• Provide legal advice on the preparation and implications of memoranda of understanding and other agreements with UNHCR partners (including governmental agencies, NGOs, individuals or companies).
• Provide legal advice on the drafting and negotiation of lease agreements and inter-agency common premises and common services agreements.
• Represent the Legal Affairs Service as a member of relevant committees, including the Headquarters Committee on Contracts, and the Headquarters Procurement Ethics Review Committee.
• Advise on matters related to intellectual property: including publications, copyrights, domain name issues and the protection of UNHCR name and emblem.
• Advise on matters related to asset management.
• Advise on complex questions related to data protection, including the application of UNHCR’s General Policy on Personal Data Protection and Privacy; Provide legal advice on dispute resolution including arbitration or litigation; assist in establishing case strategies; assist in drafting the legal position and appropriate pleadings and documents.
• Liaise with the UN Office of Legal Affairs in New York, and with legal offices in UN agencies on any relevant issues.
• On behalf of UNHCR liaise, correspond and negotiate with relevant third parties on the legal aspects of the conclusion, interpretation and/or implementation of contracts and agreements.
• Any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel.
• Develop and issue legal policy guidance on matters pertaining to procurement activities of the Organization.
• Enforce legal policy and standards pertaining to relevant areas of responsibility.
• In coordination with, and as delegated by, the General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel, represent LAS in meetings within UNHCR and represent UNHCR with external counterparts on the above issues.
• Draft and present legal aspects of commercial agreements within UNHCR and with third parties.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3 - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Law (civil and/or common law system) with a focus on (international) commercial law or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Not specified.

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Experience in progressively responsible functions in the private/public sector providing legal advice on commercial and business contracts. In-depth knowledge of principles of international commercial law; contract law and procurement law as practiced in the UN. In-depth knowledge of UN institutional law, and the international legal framework, in particular the privileges and immunities of the UN and UNHCR. In-depth knowledge of UN/UNHCR administrative procedures processes and experience in the provision of legal support services in an international organization. Understanding of UNHCR mandate and its operational structure. Experience in negotiating and clearly explaining a legal issue to a non-lawyer. Experience in drafting sound legal advice in a timely manner; and proposing practical solutions within a given framework of UN legal provisions. Experience in drafting and reviewing legal instruments (contracts, MOU, etc.).

Desirable

Prior experience of the UN system (legal status and structure). UNHCR field experience. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities.

Functional Skills

*LE-Legal Research;

*LE-Contract law applied by the UN;

*LE-Commercial contract drafting, negotiating and identifying solutions;

*LE-Risk mitigation in contractual agreements;

LE-Draft legal settlement agreements;

LE-Formal and informal resolution of commercial contractual disputes;

LE-Negotiation with governments to resolve privileges and immunities issues;

IT-Computer Literacy;

*SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures;

CO-Cross-cultural communication.

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Planning and Organizing

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential Attributes:
The candidate must demonstrate expert knowledge of international commercial law and procurement law, with demonstrated experience of practising law in the legal office of an in international organization.
He/she must have excellent demonstrated skills and experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating complex contractual engagements and proven ability to provide legal advice on complex commercial matters. The candidate must demonstrate a thorough understanding of UN and UNHCR procurement frameworks, vendor eligibility considerations, and risk mitigation practices.
The candidate must demonstrate experience in advising on data protection issues, including the application of UNHCR’s General Policy on Personal Data Protection and Privacy.
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload in a fast paced in-house legal team environment while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and service orientation.
The candidate will also demonstrate familiarity with intellectual property matters such as publications, copyright, domain names, and the protection of UNHCR’s name and emblem.
He/she will have proven experience in supporting dispute resolution processes including arbitration or litigation, with experience in developing case strategies and drafting legal positions.
Proficiency in written and spoken French is required.

Desirable Attributes:
Experience and expertise in other areas of LAS work, particularly in advising on matters related to the interpretation of the staff regulations and rules, as well as the status, privileges and immunities of UNHCR and its personnel would be desirable.

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Legal Officer – Commercial Matters - supports UNHCR’s commercial contractual portfolio, including procurement arrangements, service agreements, and other commercial commitments. The role requires experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contractual engagements and in providing legal advice to ensure compliance with UNHCR’s internal policies, financial rules, procurement procedures, data protection policies and relevant international standards.

The position of Legal Officer – Commercial Matters requires experience in handling complex commercial matters independently and assisting senior colleagues on high‑value, high‑risk, or sensitive engagements. The role requires thorough understanding of UN and UNHCR procurement frameworks, commercial law principles, vendor eligibility considerations, and risk mitigation practices. The role requires experience in identifying legal issues and proposing solutions.

The Legal Officer – Commercial Matters - works in close coordination with LAS colleagues, DRM, DEPS (in particular PTSS and SMS), Regional Bureaux and field operations. The position also interacts with external partners such as UN Secretariat procurement and legal offices, as well as legal representatives of vendors and service providers. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders on these issues.

The role requires sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage a diverse workload in a fast‑paced environment while contributing to the consistency and quality of UNHCR’s commercial engagements.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

LE-Multi-disciplinary contractual negotiation

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Required)

Certifications

Law - Other

Legal, Workforce to Supervise

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance