Legal Analyst-[Open to all Applicants]

Job Purpose

The Legal Analyst supports the Programmes & Projects (P&P) Team within BMS/OLS, providing strategic legal services related to UNDP’s programmes and projects and UNCDF operations. The role reports to the Senior Legal Advisor and Head of the P&P Team and assists UNDP and UNCDF senior management, headquarters, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices in the P&P practice area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, guidance and counsel on all legal aspects of UNDP’s programmes and projects and UNCDF’s operations.
• Assist in drafting and negotiating standard and non‑standard programmatic agreements with development partners.
• Support legal advice to central and regional bureaus on evolving programme initiatives, including private‑sector engagement.
• Help develop new financial instruments and programmatic tools (e.g., guarantees, development services, grants, performance‑based and cost‑sharing mechanisms) to enhance partnership effectiveness.
• Contribute to the design and review of policies and procedures within the P&P remit.
• Conduct research and draft memoranda as required.
• Advisory on partnership arrangements and donor financing agreements between partners and UNDP/UNCDF.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating donor financing agreements and other partnership instruments.
• Support review and revision of corporate agreements governing relationships with partners and donors.
• Provide legal analysis on the Organisation’s mandate and legal framework, addressing financial regulations, rules, and matters related to privileges and immunities (in coordination with UN/OLA).
• Help maintain a robust institutional and corporate legal system, including updating agreements and templates.
• Support the Senior Legal Advisor and team members in delivering legal training.
• Provide legal advice on commercial matters and contractual claims, including review and negotiation of contracts for goods, services, civil works, leases, banking, and vendor agreements.
• Assist in the review, negotiation, settlement, and, where appropriate, arbitration of commercial claims and disputes involving UNDP and UNCDF.

Competencies

• Achieve Results – plans and monitors work, delivers quality results by deadline.
• Think Innovatively – open to creative ideas, pragmatic problem solving.
• Learn Continuously – open‑minded, curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes.
• Adapt With Agility – adapts to change, handles ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Act With Determination – shows drive, remains calm under adversity, confident.
• Engage And Partner – demonstrates compassion, forms positive relationships.

Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies

• Legal knowledge of applicable legal framework, including UN and UNDP laws, treaties, and internal regulations.
• Legal knowledge of privileges and immunities, and application to UN officials and operations.
• Legal advocacy and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Legal analysis skills to digest complex information and provide concise advice.
• Legal writing skills: drafting memoranda, legal briefs, opinions, and non‑legal communications.
• Business direction & strategy: systems thinking to assess interrelated elements within processes.
• Business management & portfolio management: prioritisation, change management, and ROI consideration.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level/LLM) in Law or equivalent; or Bachelor’s degree (LLB) plus two years of qualifying experience.
• Specialisation in International Law is desirable.
• Desired: passing the bar examination of a Member State or equivalent qualification.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years (Master’s) or 4 years (Bachelor’s) in law practice with a law firm, government, international organisation, or NGO.
• Experience with the United Nations legal framework, privileges and immunities of international organisations.
• Experience in project management, multitasking, and prioritisation.
• Experience drafting and reviewing development cooperation legal instruments (e.g., grants, MOUs, contribution agreements).
• Experience with UNDP style programme and project cycles, risk management, due diligence, and donor requirements.
• Experience with public international law relating to UN operations (privileges, immunities).
• Experience with legal and policy frameworks for programme and project implementation (e.g., procurement, intellectual property, data protection).
• Ability to provide clear, solution‑oriented legal advice to non‑legal programme colleagues and senior leaders.
• Experience in negotiation, risk identification and constructive engagement with government, donors, CSOs, and private sector partners.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English – required.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish – an asset.

Equal Opportunity

UNDP is committed to diversity and provides equal opportunities to all applicants. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP values an inclusive workplace and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.