National Professional Officers are employed for functions in UNMIS which by their very nature require national knowledge, culture experience and languages.

Duties and responsibilities:

Accountability: Within limits of delegated authority, and under the supervision of the Senior Legal Affairs Officer the Legal Officer is required to:

• Follow and analyze developments in the legal sector relevant to the constitution-making process;
• Perform legal research and legal analysis on issues of relevance to the constitution-making process;
• Prepare studies, presentation, briefs, policy documents, and report relevant to the constitution-making process;
• Draft periodic reports or other inputs on the work of the section as required by supervisors;
• Provide policy advice and recommendations to the director/head of section on procedural and substantive issues in the constitution-making process;
• Regularly work with and seek the input of national legal professionals and civil society representative facilitate joint efforts on issues relevant to the constitution-making process;
• Perform such other duties as may be required in furtherance of the work of the section.

Competences:

• Professionalism: Demonstrated in-depth understanding of the specific sector; substantial and diverse experience in all facets of the job; strong analytical skills combined with good judgment;
• Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision;
• Communication: Proven and sustained communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending
• recommendations;
• Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education: Advanced university degree, preferably in domestic and constitutional law; candidates with degrees in international law, public administration, political sciences or international relations with a legal concentration or component will also be considered.
Experience: 5 to10 years work experience in legal/political analytical work. In-depth academic background and practical work experience in the areas of governance and constitutional issues.
Languages skills: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic and must be of a level sufficient to enable the incumbent to draft legal texts clearly and precisely. Knowledge of other Sudanese languages an asset.
Other skills: Demonstrated ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given. Fully conversant with computer operation including Word, Excel PowerPoint and Access. High level of demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to type accurately in English and Arabic. Demonstrated effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.