Legal Affairs Specialist, P-4, Office of Executive Director, Rome, PAT 133709

Legal Affairs Specialist – Role Overview

Supports UNICEF’s legal needs by providing advice on arrangements with private sector, partners, digital and data service providers, and data, and by advising on commercial contracts, disputes and institutional matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on negotiations of agreements, frameworks, MOUs, and contracts with key counterparts.
• Advise on policy development, implementation and interpretation, including breaches, dispute resolution and other risks.
• Collaborate closely with private sector, digital and data teams across the organization at headquarters, division, regional and country office levels.
• Interpret and advise on decisions, regulations and rules within UNICEF’s regulatory framework, e.g., Policy on Personal Data Protection & Privacy.
• Develop and deliver training and capacity‑building activities for teams across the organization.
• Support legal knowledge management, office governance and case management projects throughout their lifecycle.
• Perform other related tasks as required.

Qualifications

Education – Post‑graduate university law degree (LL.B post‑graduate, LL.M., J.D.) or equivalent; alternatively a first‑level university degree combined with two years of qualifying work experience.

Experience – Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible practice in a relevant field (e.g., data protection law); experience in a law firm, private practice, in‑house counsel or international organization such as the UN or related institutions.

Skills – Expertise in data protection law and practice; client‑oriented problem‑solving; excellent legal research, writing and drafting; strong verbal communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English required. Proficiency in another United Nations official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is desirable.

Benefits

Paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.