Legal Assistant – Personal Assistant to UN Under‑Secretary‑General

About the role

The Office of the Under‑Secretary‑General for Legal Affairs is seeking a Legal Assistant to provide high‑level personal support to the Under‑Secretary‑General. This position combines administrative coordination with legal research and records management in a fast‑paced, confidential environment.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the Under‑Secretary‑General’s calendar, schedule appointments, coordinate travel and handle ad‑hoc tasks.
• Review, prioritize and follow up on incoming correspondence, liaise with senior officials, and organize high‑level meetings and official events.
• Conduct basic legal research using OLA Registry, Epona and other sources.
• Maintain confidential files and records, ensuring proper handling of sensitive matters.
• Support the maintenance of legal reference files, conduct reference searches, classify documents and coordinate with Archives.
• Respond to complex verbal and written inquiries, providing detailed information on legal processes and instruments.
• Assist in the preparation and follow‑up of committee meetings, including drafting journals, summaries and tracking action items.
• Provide logistical and technical assistance for UN legal networks and field legal officer meetings.
• Coordinate ceremonies such as signings, ensuring timely receipt of legal instruments.
• Maintain internal case databases, generate statistical reports and support trend analysis.

Required profile

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a confidential setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of interacting with senior officials.
• Attention to detail in document classification, records management and data tracking.

Required skills