Legal Associate

December 31, 2025

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-01-01

Legal Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Legal Associate is a member of a protection team. S/he normally reports to a higher grade Legal Officer.

The Legal Associate assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with an office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation. Additionally, the Legal Associate is expected to contribute to the capacity building activities for local and central state authorities in the area of protection of persons of concern either directly or in cooperation with partners.

The Legal Associate assists an office in providing quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. S/he is also required to assist an office in ensuring that persons of concern are involved with the office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. In addition, the Legal Associate is in charge of the office's corporate legal work and advises on all matters of Labour Law affecting refugees.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Monitor the development of law and doctrine.
- Provide input to assist in analysis of relevant emerging legislation in line with protection and humanitarian principles, international law and standards.
- Provide inputs to selected advocacy efforts of the operation.
- Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
- Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
- Liaise with relevant state authorities at central and local levels, partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- Contribute to draft protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
- Provide guidance and support in the formulation of protection strategies.
- Assist in handling individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of international law, refugee and human rights law.
- Prepare protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
- Participate in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
- Assist in the preparation of legal advice and drafting of position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
- Contribute to advocacy towards proper interpretation of law and doctrine as well as in the development of standards of protection.
- Consistently apply international and national law and UNHCR policies and standards.
- Liaise and intervene with local authorities on the legal issues pertaining to persons of concern.
- Assist in providing legal advice on all cases referred from all units of UNHCR, most notably RSD, RST and Registration.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Law, Human Rights, Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Previous relevant legal related work experience.
Desirable
Experience in facilitating training.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes on protection or any other equivalent external courses.

Functional Skills
*CO-Drafting and Documentation
*LE-Legal Research
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Given the complexity of the national and regional context and ongoing legal and policy reform, the incumbent is required to have a strong legal background with demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research and drafting, a solid understanding of national and EU asylum law, and the ability to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable qualifications and skills include:
• a law degree is highly desirable;
• the candidate is required to have a strong legal background with proven experience working within the international, EU and national refugee law framework;
• previous experience drafting legislation in Slovakia would be a major asset;
• previous experience in the context of asylum seeker representation, the provision of legal aid and/or strategic litigation in Slovakia and/or the EU would be an asset;
• strong legal analysis and drafting skills in both English and Slovak are essential; and
• previous experience with UNHCR, UN Agencies, Slovak public administration and/or legal NGOs would be a strong asset;
• strong stakeholder management skills, especially with government counterparts and other key stakeholders, as well as strong cross-cultural communication skills and experience in the provision of training, would be an advantage.

Knowledge of English as the UN working language of the duty station and proficiency in the Slovak language are required.

Knowledge of additional languages spoken by refugees in Slovakia would be considered an asset.

Slovak

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English

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Operational Context:

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 176,000 refugees from Ukraine have applied for temporary protection in Slovakia. As of November 2025 Slovakia hosts 139,000 refugees from Ukraine, among them 80% are women and children, as well as refugees with specific needs such as older persons and persons with disabilities. Slovakia also hosts 1,200 refugees of diverse nationalities.

UNHCR has been active in Slovakia since 1994, supporting the national authorities on refugee-related issues. In line with its international protection mandate, supervisory role over the 1951 Refugee Convention, and expertise in International Refugee Law, UNHCR contributes to legislative and policy development by providing expert analysis, formulating recommendations and legal opinions, and supporting strategic litigation where indicated. These efforts aim to strengthen advocacy and deliver technical expertise that reinforces Slovakia’s legal protection framework. This includes promoting fair and efficient procedures related to international protection; improving access to national social protection services; and facilitating socio-economic inclusion. Slovakia’s implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is also a strategic priority within the larger asylum system of the European Union. 

 

UNHCR monitors the implementation of temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine in Slovakia, advising on legal safeguards, promoting rights-based procedures, and strengthening access to legal counselling. It provides technical guidance to the authorities and supports pathways to inclusion and durable solutions. Despite progress, some refugees still face certain barriers to inclusion, legal obstacles to services, and protection risks for vulnerable groups.

 

As the UN-mandated agency for refugee protection, UNHCR supports the Government-led response and coordination to strengthen the national response, ensure complementarity and sustainability, and prevent duplication. UNHCR works closely with relevant sister UN agencies and NGO partners in this regard.  In doing so, UNHCR aims to safeguard asylum space, promote inclusive policies, and ensure that the voices of refugees continue to inform decisions that affect their lives. 

Nature of Position:

This position will be based in Bratislava, Slovakia, as part of a small team reporting to the Deputy Representative of Multi-Country Office (MCO) Poland.  MCO Poland will provide direct oversight and support for the work of UNHCR staff in Slovakia, maintaining direct engagement with relevant government authorities and NGO partners based in Slovakia. 

The position requires working in a small and diverse team of staff from various backgrounds, in addition to closely liaising with the government authorities and NGO partners. Physical presence in the office is required, along with flexibility for missions within Slovakia as needed.

UNHCR’s presence in Slovakia is focused on supporting the national authorities and partners to protect, include and empower refugees from Ukraine, with a view to investing in human capital for the future — both in Slovakia and, when conditions permit, in the context of returns to Ukraine.  At the same time, UNHCR seeks to further strengthen the asylum system, ensuring access to territory and fair procedures, and promoting inclusion and durable solutions for refugees. The incumbent will operate within this evolving legal and political landscape, contributing to the protection of persons of concern through legal analysis, advocacy and capacity-building.

 

The incumbent will be instrumental in advancing legal expertise, providing advice and analysis on complex legal frameworks and policies, and working with partners who provide legal aid and counselling to refugees and asylum-seekers. The position will also contribute to policy development and advocacy, supporting alignment of national legislation and policy with international and regional frameworks (including the EU acquis, in particular in view of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum). The role will also involve engaging with civil society, legal aid providers, and government counterparts to promote rights-based approaches.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor and analyze developments within relevant legal and policy frameworks concerning asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless persons under UNHCR’s mandate and draft recommendations on their alignment with the 1951 Refugee Convention; relevant sources of European and International Law; and national law.  This work will include inter alia analysis and recommendations related to implementation of the EC Temporary Protection Directive for the Ukraine Situation; post Temporary Protection regimes that may emerge; and, in the context of the larger asylum system, implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

• Working in liaison with the Deputy Representative; Law, Policy & Asylum Unit at MCO Poland; UNHCR Senior Government Liaison Associate based in Bratislava; and relevant legal NGO partners in Slovakia, contribute to comments on legislative and policy proposals, and help formulate proposed language for legislation and policies in line with international standards.  

• Working under the guidance of MCO Poland, represent UNHCR in working-level meetings of the national authorities focused on legal and legislative issues related to asylum-seekers and refugees.

• Collaborate closely with NGOs and other civil society actors who provide legal aid, engage in strategic litigation, and provide legal commentary on draft legislation and policies.

• Working in close liaison with the Law, Policy & Asylum Unit of MCO Poland, provide legal analysis and technical inputs to support the advocacy efforts of UNHCR in Slovakia.

• Under the guidance of MCO Poland, liaise with working-level Slovak authorities to advocate for access to rights under relevant legal and procedural provisions, including in the context of access to the national social protection system (social welfare services, education, healthcare, mental health and psycho-social support, special assistance for the most vulnerable refugees, etc).

Living and Working Conditions:

Slovakia is a developed country with an advanced, high-income economy. It also performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and peacefulness. The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system, providing citizens with universal health care, free education, and one of the longest paid parental leaves in the OECD. Slovakia became an independent state on 1 January 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. It has, nevertheless, remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group. In 2024, Peter Pellegrini became the new president of Slovakia for a five-year term. The country has the beautiful Tatra Mountains, the Danube river and many historical places, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bratislava offers good living conditions with a wide range of hotels, Airbnb, and apartments and flats. Accommodation can be sourced using the services of property agencies, as well as through various online websites. International schools are available. Health care is relatively good, but there is a shortage of professionals in many occupations, including doctors and medical staff, making access to health care somewhat challenging.

No specific security conditions pertain to Slovakia. Bratislava is a safe metropolitan city, however, as in any other city, caution shall be exercised when using public transport to avoid pickpocketing. Political protests can happen at short notice and may turn violent. Large gatherings must be avoided.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Certifications

Human Rights - Other, Law - Other, Political Science - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance