CONSULTANCY - TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

Legal Consultant (Construction)- International

 Jerusalem

BACKGROUND

The West Bank Field Legal Office (FLO) provides legal advice and support to the Director of UNRWA Operations, West Bank, the Deputy Directors for Support and Programmes, Chiefs of Programmes and Heads of Department on a variety of legal matters related to UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, in coordination with UNRWA’s HQ Department of Legal Affairs.

UNRWA’s West Bank Field Office (WBFO) manages a number of complex construction projects, which require significant legal support in order to mitigate risk. Legal support will be required in particular in 2020 with several projects entering key phases. In view hereof, WBFO is recruiting a Legal Consultant, to be based in FLO, who will focus on assisting FLO in the area of construction-related legal advice. 

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head Field Legal Office, the Legal Consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assist with drafting agreements (exchanges of letters; MOUs) and correspondence with Agency partners in relation to construction projects and advising on roles, responsibilities and obligations;
• Assist with providing advice on all issues arising out of UNRWA WBFO building contracts;
• Assist with providing advice on all legal issues arising from construction projects (including vetting, procurement, dispute settlement, liability, risk mitigation);
• Assist with providing advice on issues of land ownership, permits, governmental regulations;
• Assist with providing advice on issues related to UNRWA’s status and privileges and immunities, impacting on construction projects;
• Attending Project Steering Committees and other relevant meetings. Participate in the Local Committee for Procurement when required;
• Any other duties that may be assigned, including general support to FLO work.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Comprehensive and solid legal agreements supporting construction projects, thereby mitigating risk
• Thorough and operational legal advice on all issues arising from construction projects
• Successful management of disputes with contractors/partners

minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Masters degree in law and 3 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor degree in law and 4 years of relevant experience
• At least 2 years of international relevant experience.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent English drafting skills
• Ability to work in a team and to build partnerships with other departments
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Client orientation

dESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with construction-related contracts and legal advice would be an asset
• Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• The duration of the consultancy is 11 months;
• Monthly remuneration will be at the P-2 level depending on the qualifications and experience of the consultant
• The incumbent will be based in East Jerusalem and will be expected to visit project sites in the West Bank.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “Legal Consultant- Construction” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 27 March 2020.

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.  UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.

Date:  26 February 2020