Snr Legal Officer (Information Analyst)

Senior Legal Officer (Information Analyst)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
(National) security considerations are an essential factor in shaping policy responses and developments relevant to international refugee protection. In an overall environment increasingly marked by concerns about security threats resulting from terrorism and other forms of transnational criminality, UNHCR is called upon to ensure that measures to counter serious crime and to address threats to national or international security and public order, including in the context of terrorism and other forms of transnational crime, comply with international legal obligations towards persons of concern to UNHCR, and more specifically, provisions in international refugee law governing exclusion on the grounds of criminal conduct, expulsion, exceptions to the principle of non-refoulement and other measures to address possible threats to security and public order. At the same time, UNHCR is required to redouble its efforts to preserve the integrity of its own procedures and operations, notably in the context of individual case processing for the purposes of resettlement and other forms of admission. UNHCR is conducting its mandate activities in ever more complex settings, where events in one operation may have far-reaching repercussions for UNHCR operations elsewhere, and the exercise of core protection activities may expose the Office to reputational risks as well as potential security threats at an unprecedented level. It is essential, therefore, to ensure greater coordination between UNHCR's work in the area of policy and law, individual case processing and other operational activities.

The Protection & National Security (PNS) Section within the Division of International Protection (DIP) leads UNHCR¿s efforts in this area. This includes working with States and other relevant external counterparts to make sure that the exclusion clauses as well as security-related provisions in international refugee and statelessness instruments are interpreted and applied properly, as well as upholding rigorous standards for the handling of cases raising exclusion and/or security issues by UNHCR with a view to protecting the integrity of UNHCR's processes and operations, particularly, but not limited to, refugee status determination and resettlement procedures. The Section is responsible for shaping UNHCR¿s legal and policy positions and guidelines concerning exclusion, (national) security and related matters and carries out legal and policy research, clears UNHCR¿s amicus curiae and other court interventions, provides comments on national legislation and monitors UNHCR and State practice in these areas. To this end, the Section engages with relevant interlocutors, including States, international organizations, NGOs and other external actors.

The Section also maintains close and sustained involvement with the Field and Regional Bureaux, in close coordination with relevant parts of Headquarters to ensure consistent application of principles and standards by operations dealing with individual cases and/or populations involving complex and sensitive profiles. The Section provides advice and support to Field Operations, the Regional Bureaux as well as other parts of DIP on legal and procedural questions concerning exclusion, cancellation, revocation, extradition, terrorism and other security-related issues arising in the context of individual case processing, including refugee status determination under UNHCR¿s mandate, resettlement and other forms of admission, as well as in terms of developing case processing strategies and responses to ensure that individual cases involving complex and/or sensitive profiles are handled with due diligence and to minimize potential reputational and/or security risks. The Section also works with relevant parts of DIP and other Headquarters Divisions, the Regional Bureaux and the Field on further developing and implementing UNHCR¿s policy responses to security-related challenges in the area of protection. The Section also undertakes training on issues within its areas of responsibility for UNHCR and Governments, and liaises with relevant organizations, including in the area of counter-terrorism, law enforcement and international criminal cooperation, as well as international courts and tribunals.


The Senior Legal Officer (Information Analyst) works within the Protection & National Security Section in DIP (Policy & Law), and reports to the Senior Legal Coordinator and Chief of PNS Section. The incumbent of this post must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent analytical and drafting skills, discretion and judgement, strong political acumen, and experience in preparing summary and analytical reports on subject matters relevant to the work of the Protection & National Security Section. The incumbent must also be familiar with information technology, including social media and other online sources, as well as the use of analytical tools that are suitable to support the work of the Protection & National Security Section. S/he also needs to have experience in information analysis from a security and risk perspective, while being familiar with legal and policy issues governing UNHCR's work on exclusion and related issues would be an asset. (S)he should also have good training skills and experience on matters related to information technology, information management as well as software and analytical tools that are suitable to support the work of the Protection & National Security Section, and be flexible and able to handle a number of competing priorities at the same time and still produce high quality work. Willingness, and capacity, to go on mission at short notice is also necessary.

The Senior Legal Officer (Information Analyst) works closely with Field Offices, Regional Bureaux, relevant sections within DIP, and other Divisions in Headquarters. (S)he will provide assistance and support to Field Offices, Regional Bureaux and relevant sections within DIP through his/her analysis of information and evaluations, including forecasts and risk assessments. The Senior Legal Officer (Information Analyst) will assist, guide and advise in the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring, coordination and evaluation of activities from a security and risk perspective, and (s)he will also play a lead role in capacity-building efforts in these areas. The Senior Legal Officer (Information Analyst) also maintains contacts with relevant Government counterparts and other external stakeholders and will represent UNHCR and its policies in external fora related to his/her area of responsibility.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR's strategy for the systematic collection, storage and assessment of information relevant to exclusion from international refugee protection based on criminal conduct, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection and related matters, is based on high-quality analysis.
- UNHCR's policies and strategies in the areas of exclusion, (national) security and related matters, including with regard to the handling of individual cases and case processing strategies, are informed as relevant by high-quality information and analysis, and comply with UNHCR's Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) policy.
- The integrity of UNHCR's individual case processing procedures and operations is strengthened, and the capacity of internal and external stakeholders is progressively improved, through quality, timely and relevant training and other capacity-building initiatives in the area of information-collection and analysis with a focus on exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection and related matters.

Responsibility
- Monitor a wide spectrum of information sources and develop strategies for the systematic collection and transmission to the Protection & National Security Section of information required to inform policies and strategies from an exclusion and/or (national) security perspective.
- Analyse information obtained by the Protection & National Security Section in the context of individual case processing and other activities related to the implementation of international refugee law provisions concerning exclusion, (national) security and international refugee protection and related matters, including for use as a decision-making tool.
- Monitor and provide analytical reports to the Chief of Section on linkages and connections between high profile and/or sensitive cases and caseloads which raise exclusion, (national) security and related issues.
- Ensure the timely production of high-quality analytical reports, including risk analysis, threat assessments, early warning notes and other analytical products related to issues arising at the intersection of security and international refugee protection in the context of UNHCR's individual case processing and other protection activities.
- Identify priority information requirements, design strategies for, and facilitate and/or undertake collection of (additional) information relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters, in close coordination with other parts of DIP, other Divisions, Regional Bureaux, Regional Officers involved in individual case processing (e.g. in Registration, Refugee Status Determination, Resettlement, Child Protection etc.) and Field Offices.
- Provide guidance and support to Field Offices, Regional Bureaux, relevant sections within DIP and other Divisions in Headquarters on the implementation of mechanisms to ensure the collection of information relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters.
- Manage the use, maintenance and technical support of appropriate analytical tools, including planning and oversight of data collection relevant to exclusion, (national) security and related matters, input and verification.
- Develop and maintain accurate, up-to-date systems to secure records and data related to information obtained by the Protection & National Security Section from individual case files and other sources, and ensure that the appropriate level of confidentiality is maintained.
- In close coordination with other relevant services/sections in Headquarters, develop methodology for archiving and ensure backup of database of information related to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters, ensure the security of databases and systems, and administer databases managed by the Protection & National Security Section.
- Prepare and/or provide briefings to Senior Management and other relevant colleagues on results of information-analysis related to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection and related matters, including risk assessment and forecasts, both in relation to UNHCR's individual case processing and other protection activities, and with regard to general trends and developments.
- In coordination and cooperation with relevant sections within DIP and the Global Learning Centre, develop and provide regular and customized training on information collection and analysis, to UNHCR personnel and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to UNHCR and external standard reports and publications (Global Report, Global Appeal, Global Trends, Statistical Yearbook, etc.).
- Maintain liaison with other services/sections of Headquarters conducting information management and analysis, including but not limited to Field Security Services, Division of External Relations and Division of Programme Support Management.
- Engage with relevant external partners and stakeholders concerning information collection and analysis in areas relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters.

Authority
- Submit a strategy for the collection, storage, management and assessment of information relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters, including with regard to strategies to safeguard the integrity, and mitigate potential risks arising in the context of, UNHCR's processing of cases and/or caseloads which present exclusion and/or (national) security concerns.
- Submit reports containing analysis of information relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters, including risk assessment and forecasts, including in (but not limited to) individual case processing contexts.
- While on mission to select UNHCR operations, issue guidance and recommendations on measures to strengthen the quality and efficiency of information collection and analysis concerning cases, or caseloads, which raise issues relevant to exclusion, (national) security and related issues.
- Represent the Section in specialized training for UNHCR personnel as a facilitator/resource person.
- Represent UNHCR in engagements with external counterparts on issues related to information analysis and assessment relevant to exclusion, the nexus between (national) security and international refugee protection, and related matters as needed.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Law/International Law, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations or other related field.
- Minimum 10 years (12 years with university degree) of relevant work experience in progressively responsible functions in analysis, which should include three years of combined field and/or headquarters experience in international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, International Governmental Organizations, International Non-Governmental Organizations, bi-lateral cooperation agencies etc.).
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of political, operational, integrity, social and security risk factors.
- Advanced knowledge of linear and relational databases.
- Demonstrated information management skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of different data collection methodologies.
- Excellent knowledge of and skills in using analytical tools (e.g. Sentinel Analyzer, Analyst¿s Notebook etc.).
- Excellent analytical and research skills and ability to think strategically and creatively.
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner under demanding working conditions that often have short deadlines.
- Excellent knowledge of English (writing, reading, speaking and comprehension).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Previous work experience with UNHCR or in other areas of human rights/humanitarian work for the UN.
- Knowledge of archive management.
- Knowledge of national security and terrorism-related issues.
- Proficiency in other official UN languages.