Legal Consultant (Special Initiatives) ,OED /Legal Team, based in Valencia or Geneva with limited remote working, 4 months #595334

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Affairs Specialist (Geneva/Rome/Copenhagen) or, at her discretion, a senior lawyer in the team, the Legal Consultant will:

a. Provide substantive legal advice on the following areas:

• i. commercial contracts, including complex and innovative commercial arrangements;
• ii. complex data sharing use and agreements
• iii. contracts and other agreements specifically related to Open Source licensing
• iv. partnerships with other UN organisations, governments, international financial institutions, civil society, private sector partners relevant to UNICEF’s programmes and resource mobilisation efforts;
• v. institutional matters, including UN privileges and immunities and governance frameworks;
• vi. development and interpretation of internal regulatory instruments;

b. Collaborate closely with teams across the organization, at the headquarters / divisional level, and at the regional and country office level, in widely varying development and humanitarian contexts.

c. Advise on structuring and negotiations involving key partnership, commercial and financial arrangements relevant to the Special Initiatives, including the development and review of complex contracts and agreements, templates, legal frameworks, and other arrangements.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:ToR Legal Consultant.pdf

• Education: Advanced university degree (a graduate degree, including at the Master's level or equivalent) in Law, emphasis on International Commercial Law being an advantage.
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional legal experience in the practice of law, either in the legal team of an international organization, or in the in-house legal team of a cross-border commercial organization, or in a law firm or the legal team of a governmental body, with substantial experience in international commercial matters (in particular in the supply chain or other commercial operations of the United Nations).
• Skills: Excellent drafting & communication skills.
• Strong analytical and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in technology-related work, specifically data and data sharing, and Open-Source licenses.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationship both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work independently.
• Understanding of the legal issues related to (UN) supply chains and UN/UNICEF commercial and partnership engagement dimensions an asset, including as it relates to procurement of goods/services, insurance, and delivery terms
• Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English particularly with regard to the practice of law required; fluency inanother UN working language an advantage.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal xxx5238.xlsx

Remarks:   If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 26 Aug 2026 W. Europe Daylight Time
Applications close: 09 Sep 2026 W. Europe Daylight Time

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