The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is mandated to help and protection to a population of 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance.
The Jordan Field Office, UNRWA provides technical and operational direction, supervision and monitoring to the delivery of the Agency's programmes of education, health, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement at field level; develops and implements the field's strategic and operational plans and budget, responds to emerging needs, working to directly influence the protection and care of Palestine refugees. The Field Legal Office provides legal assistance to the Jordan Field Office management and staff in order to facilitate its operations.
As Associate Legal Officer you support UNRWA as follows:
- Conduct legal research on international, human rights, humanitarian, and refugee law.
- Support drafting and review of contracts, agreements, leases, and MoUs.
- Advise on UNRWA's mandate, privileges, immunities, and staff responsibilities.
- Support administrative and employment law matters, including investigations and discipline.
- Advise on claims, negotiations, settlements, and legal training;
- Etc.
Part of the UN Volunteer Associate Programme "[Swiss Talent at the United Nations](https://www.cinfo.ch/en/individuals/find-a-job/junior-professional-programmes/talent-programme-swiss-youth-at-the-united-nations-world-bank)", this position is sponsored by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Social Security
- You will be serving on a UN volunteer contract. Your UN health insurance and travel will be covered and you will be receiving a living allowance to cover for your living costs in the duty station. Find more information in the [UNV "Unified Conditions of Service"](https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/ENGLISH_Conditions of Service (COS) for UN Volunteers_2026_Version 1.2._Current.pdf) and the [UNV "Entitlement calculator".](https://app.unv.org/calculator)
- Because of the volunteering and international nature of your contract, you may not be entitled to unemployment insurance upon your return to Switzerland, nor will any contributions to your national social security (AHV/AVS) be made from the living allowance you will be receiving. Soliswiss, our partner and expert will be available to advise on your individual social security situation.
Please find the full job description here:
For the programme:
- Swiss nationality;
- Master's degree;
- Ideally 12 months of relevant professional experience (min. 3 months - max. 24 months);
- Max. 28 years old at the date of application;
- Excellent command of English and 2 official Swiss languages (one active = C1/C2, one passive = A2/B1);
- Proven interest in joining the international cooperation sector.
For this position:
- Master's degree in Law;
- Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in legal work within the United Nations, other international organizations, government service, the private sector, or NGOs;
- Experience in humanitarian, contract, commercial, administrative or employment law is an asset;
- Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Please find more details in the full job description.
We are committed to gender balance and encourage applications from qualified individuals of all genders. We also welcome applications from people with different gender identities and from people with different backgrounds, including sexual orientation, disability, cultural or religious background. We value an inclusive working environment that promotes equal opportunities and a non-discriminatory culture.
Important details regarding your application
Make sure your profile on cinfoPoste is complete and up to date:
- Motivation letter in English (not more than 3500 characters, to be inserted in the pop-up window when you click on 'apply')
- CV in English incl the exact length and the % of your employments
- Work certificates, diplomas and university credentials (as PDF) uploaded under the section "documents" in your login area
Find useful tips and resources related to UN applications on the [cinfo website](https://www.cinfo.ch/en/individuals/get-informed/international-cooperation-insights/young-professionals-graduates-and-students) and read this [article](https://www.cinfo.ch/en/on-the-importance-of-keywords-in-un-applications-and-more-tips-on-how-to-get-hired-by-the-un).
Application deadline: 17 August 2026
First round of interviews carried out by cinfo: between 09 and 18 September 2026
Final selection: made by the host organisation based on cinfo's recommendation and a second interview with them. Selected candidates will be informed towards the end of October 2026.
Onboarding and training: The onboarding process will start after the selection. Selected candidates will have to attend mandatory predeparture training in January 2027.
Entry on duty: Departure is possible after the mandatory training. The final departure date will be discussed after the selection and depends on several factors.
Are you interested in the programme "[Swiss Talent at the United Nations](https://www.cinfo.ch/en/individuals/find-a-job/junior-professional-programmes/talent-programme-swiss-youth-at-the-united-nations-world-bank)"? Do you have specific questions about the process and how to apply? Join us on Zoom during our Live Q&A sessions on [Thursday, 23 July at 12:15pm](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84366193169?pwd=ShYxc2IIgKWod70jVmQMeb7YXxLWVS.1) or [Tuesday, 11 August at 5:30pm](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85906037811?pwd=pqP9FGJ6ORQH8cTXHxB7aYu6dLKERU.1). More information about the sessions [via this link.](https://www.cinfo.ch/en/individuals/find-a-job/junior-professional-programmes/talent-programme-swiss-youth-at-the-united-nations-world-bank/talent-programme-swiss-youth-at-the-united-nations)
Any questions? Contact Michal Habegger, cinfo's Recruitment Specialists, [recruitment@cinfo.ch](https://cinfo365.sharepoint.com/sites/Zusammenfuehren_Personen_Stellen/Freigegebene Dokumente/44_UN_Youth_Volunteers/441_Intakes/2008 - 2023/Intake_2023_DEZA_AFM_SECO/3_Recruitment/Advertisement/2022_Recruitment_Tools and Regulations/recruitment@cinfo.ch)
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