Org. Setting and Reporting

The Security Council established a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which is assisted by an Executive Directorate (CTED), which carries out its policy decisions and conducts expert assessments of United Nations' Member States. The Assessment and Technical Assistance Office (ATAO) is a core division of CTED. It evaluates how well countries enforce UN security rules against terrorism, reviews legal and operational gaps, and connects states with targeted capacity-building help This position is located in the Specialized Technical Expertise and Research Branch of ATAO/CTED, and reports directly to the Chief of Branch.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Provides authoritative legal advice on diverse legal questions of high complexity and analyses the status of implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), 2331 (2016), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2482 (2019) and 2617 (2021) concerning the global fight against terrorism and its financing, as well as on the linkages between organized crime, terrorism and its financing. - Prepares and reviews draft reports and stocktaking updates to ensure consistency and proposes technical solutions to resolve States' compliance issues. - Coordinates and leads a team of other officers, guides and supervises the work of junior officers as regards the legal and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) work. - Makes various types of recommendations to senior officials of CTED with respect to actions to take; recommendations are usually accepted as proposed. - Prepares and/or updates the technical guide to assist States' implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions on countering terrorism and its financing and ensure evaluation and assessment consistency. - Engages with international, regional and sub-regional organizations to facilitate, and where required, coordinate, follow-up activities that can enhance Member States' capacity in countering terrorism and its financing. Identifies those States and organizations that can be providers of technical assistance and implementing agencies and work with them to facilitate such assistance both bilaterally and as part of well-coordinated, strategic multinational efforts, including the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Global Compact. - Identifies recipient States that need to build capacity in order to help them implement their obligations under relevant resolutions and international instruments on counterterrorism. - Prepares and participates in assessment visits to Member States conducted on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) to monitor and report on their compliance with relevant resolutions, international instruments and standards on counterterrorism, as well as CFT-targeted /focused visits pursuant to resolution 2462 (2019), develop recommendations and identify technical assistance needs, where applicable. - Prepares briefings and special events for the Committee on thematic or regional issues. - Develops analytical products on current trends, issues and challenges related to CFT, Assists Member States by proposing detailed guidance on benchmarks, standards and good practices related to CFT in cooperation with other relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations. - Provides draft recommendations for CTC consideration that focus on more effective and detailed implementation by States of relevant Security Council resolutions and international instruments on countering terrorism and its financing, contributes to promoting international standards, codes and good practices, and international cooperation to further the implementation of those resolutions. Leads on the review and design of new policy, relevant guidelines on assessment methodology and benchmark criteria on assessing the impact of CFT measures. - Represents CTED in international and regional events, as needed. Liaises and conducts active dialogue with Member States, international/regional and sub-regional organizations, and civil society as appropriate. Undertake other Office assignments and tasks as necessary. - Serves as Coordinator of matters related to countering the financing of terrorism within the Cluster of Specialized Technical Expertise. - Liaises with relevant UN entities, including the UN Сounter-Terrorism Global Compact's Working Group on Criminal Justice and Legal Responses & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (serve as co Vice Chair), as well as with other international entities, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Competencies

PROFESSIONLAISM: Extensive knowledge of international norms and standards related to countering terrorism and its financing, as well as international human rights and international humanitarian law; Expertise in complex legal analysis and in counter-terrorism financing programs; Has a proven ability to produce reports and papers on CFT issues and is able to review and edit the work of others; Understands UN policies, regulations, rules and guidelines and understands the nuances of applying them; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of international law and best practices on counterterrorism matters; Remains conscientious, efficient and effective in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving meaningful results; Regularly demonstrates motivation and initiative for professional rather than personal reasons; Consistently work with persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and remain calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in international law, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecutorial or international legal cooperation or related areas is required. Experience supervising or leading a team of legal or technical specialists is required. Experience with counter-terrorism issues, including countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) and familiarity with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations, is required. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and engagement in an international environment is desirable. Experience in research, emerging technologies and data analysis is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Arabic or Russian or French or Chinese (Mandarin) or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingArabicUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIRussianUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIChinese (Mandarin)UN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IISpanishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment or assignment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026 are encouraged to apply: Un-represented: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must meet the applicable geographical or lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy, taking into account that selection to the post may itself constitute a qualifying move, in accordance with the relevant administrative issuances. Staff members are encouraged to ensure that all qualifying geographical or lateral moves are accurately reflected in their applicant profile. Please refer to ST/AI/2025/2 on the Staff selection system for more details.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capaci