Legal Affairs Jobs at the United Nations
Open legal affairs roles at the UN Secretariat and UN agencies.
Current open roles
Search all jobsLast checked 15 July 2026 · 41 roles
- Chief of Investigation (Fraud and Financial Misconduct)
IOM
Geneva, CHCloses 23 JulThe Chief of Investigation leads the strategic fraud and financial irregularities portfolio within the Office of Internal Oversight. The role is responsible for managing complex investigations into misconduct involving staff, vendors, and partners while ensuring integrity and accountability across global operations.
- Research Consultant, CRPD 20th Anniversary Report
OHCHR
Geneva, CHCloses 17 JulThe consultant will conduct research and analysis to draft a mandated OHCHR report on the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The role involves evaluating lessons learned, identifying good practices, and formulating evidence-based recommendations for States and development actors.
- Consultant for Mexico City Care System Law and Disability Rights
OHCHR
Mexico City, MXCloses 18 JulThe consultant will support the incorporation of international human rights standards into the implementation of the Mexico City Care System Law. This role involves providing technical assistance to public institutions to ensure that regulations and services promote autonomy and community inclusion for persons with disabilities.
- International Consultant (Asset Recovery and AML/CFT Project Coordination Support)
UNODC
Vienna, ATCloses 21 JulThis consultancy supports UNODC technical assistance and capacity building activities focused on anti-money laundering and asset recovery in South-East Asia. The consultant will develop standard operating procedures for recovering proceeds from cyber-scams and illegal gambling while coordinating regional workshops and mentorship missions.
- Maritime Law Enforcement Planning Expert
UNODC
Nairobi, KECloses 21 JulThe expert works across the Red Sea region to plan, coordinate, and conduct maritime law enforcement training and technical assistance. The role focuses on building the capacity of regional authorities to detect and investigate maritime crimes through specialized courses and tabletop exercises.
- Legal Assistant
UNEP
Geneva, CHCloses 20 JulThis Individual Contractor role supports the CITES Secretariat in Geneva with the implementation of national legislation and compliance assistance. The position involves reviewing legislative analyses, preparing advice for Parties, and supporting the servicing of the 81st meeting of the Standing Committee.
- Environmental Law and Governance Specialist
UNEP
Paris, FRCloses 31 JulThis consultancy supports the United Nations Environment Programme in assessing Zambia's investment readiness for critical energy transition minerals. The specialist will evaluate legislative frameworks and provide recommendations to align national policies with international environmental and social safeguards.
- International Consultant, Strategic Advisory Support on EU Gender Equality Acquis
UN WomenHome BasedCloses 17 JulThis international consultancy supports the Government of Ukraine in aligning national policies and procedures with the EU Gender Equality Acquis. The consultant provides expert technical advice and capacity building to ensure gender mainstreaming across key thematic clusters during the EU accession and recovery process.
- Language Specialist
UN Secretariat
Geneva, CHCloses 22 JulThe Language Specialist provides interpretation, translation, and transcription services for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. The role involves handling sensitive evidentiary materials and ensuring accurate communication between Mechanism personnel and various interlocutors.
- Legal Protection and Solutions Intern
UNHCR
Canberra, AUCloses 22 JulThis internship supports the Multi-Country Office in Canberra with legal protection and durable solutions portfolios across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. The intern contributes to legal research, operational casework, and advocacy efforts for forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
- Consultant for the Development of a Sexual Violence Investigation Guide
UN Women
La Paz, BOCloses 22 JulThis consultancy supports UN Women in Bolivia by developing a technical and methodological guide for investigating sexual violence crimes within the critical first 72 hours. The consultant will define institutional roles and intervention protocols for prosecutors, police, and forensic experts to reduce impunity and prevent re-victimization.
- Legislative Drafter
UN WomenHome BasedCloses 22 JulThis home-based consultancy supports the Build Back Equal project in the Eastern Caribbean by drafting legislative provisions to address unpaid care and domestic work. The consultant will work to integrate gender-responsive measures into the legal frameworks of Grenada and St. Lucia to promote women's economic empowerment.
- Evidence Reviewer
UN Secretariat
Geneva, CHCloses 20 JulThis consultancy supports the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) by reviewing and analyzing evidentiary materials to identify information pertinent to the mandate. The role involves processing diverse media formats in the Myanmar language and preparing analytical reports for potential use in international courts or tribunals.
- Rakhine State Specialist
UN Secretariat
Geneva, CHCloses 20 JulThis consultancy supports the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar by providing specialized contextual and linguistic expertise regarding Rakhine State. The specialist will review evidentiary materials, maintain specialized glossaries, and advise on witness interview plans to support international accountability efforts.
- Human Rights Officer and Child Rights Adviser
OHCHR
Geneva, CHCloses 23 JulThis position is based in the Investigation Support Section of the Human Rights Inquiries Branch in Geneva. The incumbent conducts investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, specifically advising on child protection and gender-sensitive interviewing techniques.
- E-commerce Legal Consultant
UN Secretariat
Vienna, ATCloses 17 JulThis consultancy supports the UNCITRAL Secretariat in the area of end-to-end trade digitalization and paperless trade. The consultant will provide specialized legal expertise to facilitate the uniform interpretation and application of UNCITRAL e-commerce texts by policymakers and practitioners.
- Human Rights Officer
OHCHR
Monrovia, LRCloses 22 JulThis role is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and focuses on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) and business-related human rights issues. The officer coordinates activities, conducts substantive research, and ensures gender equality dimensions are integrated into political and economic programmes.
- Consultant for National Technology Transfer System Development
UN Secretariat
Beirut, LBCloses 22 JulThis consultancy supports the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy in Palestine by assessing the national innovation system and developing a roadmap for a National Technology Transfer Office. The consultant will analyze legal frameworks, identify regulatory gaps, and propose an operational model based on international best practices to drive economic growth through technology integration.
- Whistle-blower Protection Expert
UNODC
Vienna, ATCloses 17 JulThis consultancy provides technical expertise to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen whistle-blowing systems and reporting mechanisms in Ukraine. The expert will conduct compliance assessments against international standards and support national agencies in implementing anti-corruption recommendations.
- Legal Officer
UNEP
Nairobi, KECloses 5 AugThis position is located in the Plastics Unit of the Industry and Economy Division, working closely with the Law Division to address plastic pollution. The officer provides legal technical assistance, conducts research on environmental law, and supports the development of national regulations and legislative texts.
- Legal Consultant (REDD+, Safeguards and Environmental Institutions)
UNEP
Panama City, PACloses 18 JulThis consultancy provides high-level strategic legal expertise to strengthen the regulatory and institutional framework of the REDD+ mechanism in Paraguay. The consultant will analyze legal safeguards, draft regulatory decrees for environmental authorities, and provide legal guidance on carbon market standards.
- Legal Officer
UNEP
Nairobi, KECloses 5 AugThis position is located within the Plastics Unit of the Industry and Economy Division in Nairobi. The officer provides legal technical assistance and capacity building to support countries in developing laws and regulations to address plastic pollution across the plastics life cycle.
- Legal Consultant: REDD+, Safeguards and Environmental Institutionalism
UNEP
Panama City, PACloses 18 JulThis consultancy provides high-level strategic legal support to strengthen the normative and institutional framework of the REDD+ mechanism in Paraguay. The consultant will analyze legal frameworks for environmental safeguards, draft regulatory proposals for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), and examine legal aspects of carbon market standards.
- Junior Letter of Agreement Specialist
FAO
Rome, ITCloses 17 JulThe Junior Letter of Agreement Specialist provides quality assurance and compliance reviews for specialized contractual instruments used to acquire non-commercial services from non-profit and government organizations. Based in Rome, the role supports headquarters and field offices in managing high-value agreements and ensuring alignment with internal control frameworks.
- Cybercrime Investigation Expert
UNODC
Vienna, ATCloses 23 JulThe consultant will support the Global Programme on Cybercrime by designing and delivering specialized training on cybercrime investigation and digital forensics. The role focuses on building capacity for law enforcement and criminal justice authorities in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, specifically addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Legal Officer
UN Secretariat
New York, USCloses 23 JulThis position is located in the Registry of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in New York. The Legal Officer provides substantive and technical support for the adjudication of cases, conducting legal research and drafting briefing memoranda for judges. The role involves handling complex legal matters related to administrative and employment law within the UN internal justice system.
- Legal Officer
IOM
Geneva, CHCloses 21 JulThe Legal Officer works within the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division to provide legal advice on the mandate, functions, and legal status of the International Organization for Migration. The role involves conducting research on public international law and drafting legal opinions to ensure organizational activities comply with the IOM Constitution and international legal frameworks.
- Senior Ethics Officer
UN Secretariat
New York, USCloses 15 AugThe Senior Ethics Officer leads the Protection against Retaliation and Outreach Unit within the United Nations Ethics Office. The role involves conducting preliminary reviews of retaliation requests, providing high-level policy advice on ethical standards, and designing outreach strategies to promote organizational integrity.
- Chief of Section, Legal Affairs
UN Secretariat
New York, USCloses 31 JulThis senior role leads the Africa Section within the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), providing strategic vision and policy guidance on the implementation of Security Council resolutions. The incumbent manages substantive work programmes, oversees assessment visits to Member States, and coordinates technical assistance to enhance global counter-terrorism compliance.
- Senior Ethics Officer
UN Secretariat
New York, USCloses 15 AugThe Senior Ethics Officer leads the Advisory Services and Financial Disclosure Unit within the United Nations Ethics Office. The role is responsible for providing confidential guidance on ethical standards, managing the financial disclosure programme, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability across the Secretariat.
- International Humanitarian Law Expert
UN Secretariat
New York, USCloses 31 JulThis expert role serves on the Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1591 concerning the Sudan. The position involves monitoring sanctions measures, investigating alleged violations, and providing high-level analysis of political developments to the Security Council Committee.
- Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer
UNEP
Geneva, CHCloses 24 JulThis role supports the CITES Secretariat Enforcement Unit in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of strategies to combat wildlife and forest crime. The officer facilitates collaboration between national enforcement agencies and international partners to address illegal wildlife trade, including issues related to corruption and money laundering.
- Legal Officer
UNEP
Nairobi, KECloses 24 JulThis position is located within the Corporate Services Division of UNEP in Nairobi. The Legal Officer provides legal advice on institutional matters, represents the organization in the UN internal justice system, and advises on investigative matters including sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer
UNEP
Geneva, CHCloses 24 JulThis role supports the CITES Secretariat Enforcement Unit in coordinating and monitoring strategies to combat wildlife and forest crime. The officer facilitates collaboration between national enforcement agencies and international partners to ensure international trade does not threaten the survival of wild species.
- Legal Officer
UNEP
Nairobi, KECloses 24 JulThis position is located within the Legal Unit of UNEP's Corporate Services Division in Nairobi. The officer provides legal advice on corporate and institutional matters, represents the organization in the UN Internal Justice System, and handles matters related to investigations and administrative law.
- Programme Officer (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism)
UNODC
Port-au-Prince, HTCloses 22 JulThis role provides technical assistance and mentoring to national authorities in Haiti to strengthen their capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes. The officer supports the operationalization of specialized judicial poles and enhances inter-institutional coordination between law enforcement and judicial actors.
- Senior Programme Management Officer
UN Secretariat
Nairobi, KECloses 6 AugThis position is located within the Conduct and Discipline Service of the Office of Human Resources in Nairobi. The officer oversees the implementation of UN standards of conduct, providing strategic advice on disciplinary matters and preventing misconduct across the Secretariat.
- Circular Economy Expert
UNODC
Bangkok, THCloses 20 JulThis international consultancy supports the WasteNet project by assessing national standards for recycling facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The expert will conduct gap analyses against international requirements and facilitate national consultations to align waste management systems with circular economy principles.
- Chief, Intergovernmental Meetings Unit
UNODC
Vienna, ATCloses 1 AugThe Chief leads the Intergovernmental Meetings Unit within the Secretariat to the Governing Bodies, overseeing substantive services for major UN commissions on crime prevention and narcotic drugs. The role involves managing unit activities, serving as Deputy Secretary to the Commissions, and coordinating the preparation of high-level parliamentary documentation and treaty-related work.
- Secretary of the Board and Chief
UNODC
Vienna, ATCloses 30 JulThe Secretary of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) leads the Secretariat in supporting the Board's mandate under international drug control treaties. This senior leadership role involves managing the Secretariat's work programme, conducting high-level diplomatic negotiations, and advising governments on treaty implementation and compliance.
- Albanian Diaspora Expert (EU Accession)
IOM
Tirana, ALCloses 31 DecIOM is establishing a roster of highly qualified Albanian diaspora professionals to support the Government of Albania in its EU accession negotiations. Selected experts will provide technical assistance to line ministries and agencies to align national legislation with the EU Acquis and strengthen institutional capacities for European integration.
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