Legal Affairs and Compliance

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Terms of Reference of the Office of Legal Affairs of UNIDO

Introduction

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations composed of Member States pursuant to its Constitution, an international treaty. As a subject of international law, UNIDO enjoys privileges and immunities, rights, and obligations which govern its external relations. Internally, UNIDO operates under its Constitution and, subsidiarily, under the regulations and directives of its governing bodies, as well as rules and instructions issued by or under the authority of the Director General.

Under the overall direction and supervision of the Director General, the Office of Legal Affairs (ODG/LEG) assists the Organization in achieving its goals by ensuring that all its activities and programmes are in compliance with the Organization’s external and internal legal framework. The core function of the Office consists of the provision of sound and impartial legal advice and expert legal assistance to promote compliance with the rule of law and to manage legal risks in all aspects of the Organization’s activities, as well as to defend the Organization’s rights, positions, and interests in contractual and litigation matters.

Objective

The objective of the Office is to ensure the proper conduct of the Organization’s affairs by promoting the rule of law within the Organization and in its relations with Governments, organizations, enterprises, and individuals. It safeguards and defends the legal positions, rights, and interests of UNIDO.

Functions

  • Provide legal advisory services to the Director General and Senior Management.

  • Provide legal advice and assistance to all organizational entities with respect to legal questions arising in connection with the programmes, projects, and other activities and operations of the Organization.

  • Defend the Organization’s legal status and its privileges and immunities under international law.

  • Provide advice and guidance to promote compliance with the Organization’s internal and external legal obligations, including agreements and administrative issuances.

  • Provide legal support in connection with draft decisions, resolutions, and other documents of the policymaking organs.

  • Provide legal advice, upon request, to policymaking organs and communicate with permanent missions and government offices on legal matters involving the Organization.

  • Review and negotiate agreements to be concluded by UNIDO, including basic cooperation agreements, host country agreements, and partnership frameworks.

  • Act as repository for international agreements, arrangements, and other legal texts concluded by UNIDO.

  • Review and clear draft administrative issuances and advise on their interpretation, application, and compliance.

  • Act as custodian for administrative issuances regulating legal matters.

  • Represent the Director General in litigation before international administrative tribunals and in other legal claims involving UNIDO.

  • Serve as focal point for interaction with the legal offices of the United Nations and other organizations on legal matters of mutual interest, including international law development and harmonization within the UN common system.

UNIDO’s Legal Resources Section on the Intranet: 

http://www.unido.org/legal.html

 

UNIDO’s Legal Resources Section on the Public Website:

https://www.unido.org/resources/legal-affairs-and-compliance

 

 

Contact

Office of Legal Affairs 
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Vienna International Centre
Wagramer Strasse
P.O. Box 300
1400 Vienna
Austria

E-mail: legal@unido.org