Provide input to assist in analysis of relevant emerging legislation in line with protection and humanitarian principles, international law and standards.
Provide inputs to selected advocacy efforts of the operation.
Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
Liaise with relevant state authorities at central and local levels, partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
Provide guidance and support in the formulation of protection strategies.
Assist in handling individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of international law, refugee and human rights law.
Prepare protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
Participate in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
Liaise and intervene with local authorities on the legal issues pertaining to persons of concern.
Assist in providing legal advice on all cases referred from all units of UNHCR, most notably RSD, RST and Registration.
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.
Requirements
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Law, Human Rights, Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Previous relevant legal related work experience.
Desirable
Experience in facilitating training.
Completion of UNHCR lear
Additional Information
Deadline for Applications
June 17, 2026
Grade
GS6
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date
2026-09-01
Target End Date
2027-08-31
Standard Job Description
Legal Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Legal Associate is a member of a protection team. S/he normally reports to a higher grade Legal Officer.
The Legal Associate assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with an office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation. Additionally, the Legal Associate is expected to contribute to the capacity building activities for local and central state authorities in the area of protection of persons of concern either directly or in cooperation with partners.
The Legal Associate assists an office in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. S/he is also required to assist an office in ensuring that persons of concern are involved with the office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. In addition, the Legal Associate is in charge of the office's corporate legal work and advises on all matters of Labour Law affecting refugees.
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.
Unhcr · Rome, Italy