Legal Contractor - UNDT Registry

About the role

The Registry of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) is part of the independent Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ) and supports the UNDT at its seat in Geneva. The UNDT is the first-instance tribunal of the UN internal justice system, hearing appeals by or on behalf of current and former staff against administrative decisions. This Legal Contractor provides substantive, technical and administrative support to UNDT judges and undertakes assignments mandated by OAJ. The position is in-person, remote or hybrid, with an expected duration of 6 months.

Key responsibilities

• Review submissions to the UNDT.
• Draft, review and advise on legal documents and correspondence.
• Prepare background materials and summaries of issues for judges.
• Attend meetings and advise on emerging issues.
• Identify issues, draft legal texts and handle complex matters of administrative and employment law.
• Conduct legal research and analyse cases and jurisprudence.
• Provide legal advice on substantive and procedural questions.
• Assist in preparing referrals to the Mediation Division of the Office of the Ombudsman.
• Support judges in drafting accurate judgments, reviewing drafts for errors and ensuring editorial uniformity.
• Respond to correspondence and queries from parties.
• Maintain the UNDT registers (electronic and paper) and the publication of decisions in the official languages.
• Maintain the case law digest and jurisprudence databank of OAJ.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international law, or a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing.
• At least one year as a lawyer in administrative or employment/labor law, preferably in an international organization or tribunal.
• Experience as a judicial or legal clerk, and litigation experience in an international or domestic court, are desirable.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French and another UN official language is desirable.