OED/Legal, New York /Remote no travel, 4 months
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
How can you make a difference?
UNICEF Legal maintains the institutional record of UNICEF host country agreements, basic cooperation agreements, exchanges of letters and related treaty instruments governing its privileges, immunities and operational presence worldwide. As part of this record, a 2025 Legal Office review identified (a) instruments requiring registration with the United Nations Treaty Section (UNTS), and (b) instruments for which UNICEF currently holds only a UNTS Limited Publication and should seek full version(s) for UNICEF’s records.
Article 102 of the UN Charter requires treaties and international agreements to be registered with UNTS. Registration ensures transparency, preserves the official treaty record, and enables the agreement to be invoked before UN organs, including the International Court of Justice.
The consultancy will support UNICEF in regularizing its treaty records by sourcing missing full texts, determining if entry-into-force requirements have been satisfied and initiating UNTS registration where possible.
Minimum requirements
- Experience maintaining trackers, databases or records-management systems.
- Ability to assess documentary evidence and identify missing information.
- Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and institutions across different jurisdictions and time zones.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and document management tools
- Experience with the United Nations system, international organizations, government treaty offices, archives, registries or institutional record-keeping functions.
- Familiarity with international agreements, treaty practice, treaty registration or related institutional processes.
- Experience working with historical legal records, official archives or treaty collections. .
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.