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GSFS Haiti-Senior Legal Advisor-P5-Port au Prince, Haiti
Port au Prince, HaitiPosition Title: Senior Legal Advisor in the Office of the Special Representative
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: P5
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: French and English fluency required. Fluency in Haitian Creole is an advantage.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Senior Legal Adviser shall have: a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, most of which should be in the field of public international law, including legal analysis, research and writing. At least three years of professional legal experience dealing with matters of international law as a lawyer in an international organization or in governmental service is required, preferably in a peacekeeping or similar field operation. Experience in dealing with legal issues related to the operational activities of the United Nations, including its peacekeeping or special political missions, or related international organization, is desirable. Experience working in Haiti is an advantage. An advanced university degree (LLM, Masters’ or equivalent) in public international law is required. A first degree in law (LLB, JD) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the practice of international law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is an advantage.
Responsibilities of the Senior Legal Adviser
The Senior Legal Adviser reports to the Chief of Staff (CoS) and is based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Senior Legal Adviser is the principal adviser to the SR on all legal issues affecting the GSF mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law as they affect the mission or the mandate. In particular:
• Provides to the COS and SR legal advice and expertise on the interpretation of the GSF mandate, the legal status of the GSF and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Status of Forces/Status of Mission Agreements; on aspects of GSF operational activities, including its rules of engagement and directives on the use of force and related guidelines, matters relating to international law, including international human rights law and international criminal law, as appropriate;
• Advises and supports the COS and SR in the provision of advice on administrative, personnel and contractual matters related to GSF activities, including issues relating to the accountability of personnel, third party claims, and legal questions involving the interpretation or application of SGP, GSF or UN regulations and rules. S/he also drafts and reviews agreements, institutional and operational modalities, major contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and provides advice on and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes; and ensures all legal agreements within the authority of the GSF are reviewed by the Legal Advisory unit prior to their signature by the SR or COS.
• Assists and supports the COS and Special Representative in establishing and maintaining good working relations with government officials (ministries, authorities and agencies) and other entities on legal matters related to the implementation of the GSF mandate, including the implementation of agreements and other arrangements with the host, or with other governments; and advises on Government of Haiti legislation or information on national legal practices including but not limited to the national criminal procedure code.
• Liaises and participates in meetings and discussions with governments and other institutions and entities; and with UNSOH and other UN agencies and offices, as well as other internal and external actors and organizations, as required.
• Participates in administrative boards and committees, and on ad hoc working groups and task forces, as may be assigned by the COS or Special Representative.
• Leads the management and administration of the Legal Advisory unit, including organizing and prioritizing workload and managing, supervising and guiding more junior legal officers;
• Performs legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence, and represents the Office of the SR at meetings as may be necessary.
Within the GSF, the Senior Legal Adviser is the final authority over all legal matters at the mission level, subject to any final determination that may be sought from the SGP on legal issues with implications beyond the GSF in Haiti, such as novel issues where no precedent exists.
The Senior Legal Adviser shall during GSF start-up and thereafter be responsible for the following tasks:
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: P5
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: French and English fluency required. Fluency in Haitian Creole is an advantage.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Senior Legal Adviser shall have: a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, most of which should be in the field of public international law, including legal analysis, research and writing. At least three years of professional legal experience dealing with matters of international law as a lawyer in an international organization or in governmental service is required, preferably in a peacekeeping or similar field operation. Experience in dealing with legal issues related to the operational activities of the United Nations, including its peacekeeping or special political missions, or related international organization, is desirable. Experience working in Haiti is an advantage. An advanced university degree (LLM, Masters’ or equivalent) in public international law is required. A first degree in law (LLB, JD) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the practice of international law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is an advantage.
Responsibilities of the Senior Legal Adviser
The Senior Legal Adviser reports to the Chief of Staff (CoS) and is based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Senior Legal Adviser is the principal adviser to the SR on all legal issues affecting the GSF mandate and activities, including public international, private and administrative law matters, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law as they affect the mission or the mandate. In particular:
• Provides to the COS and SR legal advice and expertise on the interpretation of the GSF mandate, the legal status of the GSF and its members, including in areas such as privileges and immunities and Status of Forces/Status of Mission Agreements; on aspects of GSF operational activities, including its rules of engagement and directives on the use of force and related guidelines, matters relating to international law, including international human rights law and international criminal law, as appropriate;
• Advises and supports the COS and SR in the provision of advice on administrative, personnel and contractual matters related to GSF activities, including issues relating to the accountability of personnel, third party claims, and legal questions involving the interpretation or application of SGP, GSF or UN regulations and rules. S/he also drafts and reviews agreements, institutional and operational modalities, major contracts, legal submissions and other legal documents and provides advice on and participates in negotiations for the settlement of claims and disputes; and ensures all legal agreements within the authority of the GSF are reviewed by the Legal Advisory unit prior to their signature by the SR or COS.
• Assists and supports the COS and Special Representative in establishing and maintaining good working relations with government officials (ministries, authorities and agencies) and other entities on legal matters related to the implementation of the GSF mandate, including the implementation of agreements and other arrangements with the host, or with other governments; and advises on Government of Haiti legislation or information on national legal practices including but not limited to the national criminal procedure code.
• Liaises and participates in meetings and discussions with governments and other institutions and entities; and with UNSOH and other UN agencies and offices, as well as other internal and external actors and organizations, as required.
• Participates in administrative boards and committees, and on ad hoc working groups and task forces, as may be assigned by the COS or Special Representative.
• Leads the management and administration of the Legal Advisory unit, including organizing and prioritizing workload and managing, supervising and guiding more junior legal officers;
• Performs legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel legal issues/questions and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence, and represents the Office of the SR at meetings as may be necessary.
Within the GSF, the Senior Legal Adviser is the final authority over all legal matters at the mission level, subject to any final determination that may be sought from the SGP on legal issues with implications beyond the GSF in Haiti, such as novel issues where no precedent exists.
The Senior Legal Adviser shall during GSF start-up and thereafter be responsible for the following tasks:
- Produce the Legal Adviser Team work plan for approval by the CoS.
- On direction by the CoS, Oversee the recruitment of Legal Advisory Team staff members, and thereafter oversee their day-to-day work.
- Provide Legal Adviser Team data and function related information as requested to inform the GSF budget submission and review process.
- Ensure in coordination with the SR and CoS effective reporting lines are agreed to, either directly to the SR, or through CoS.
- Lead the provision of legal advice in any SOFA/SOMA negotiations conducted under the direction of SGP.
- Engage with the SGP to have a SOFA/SOMA finalized before GSF deployment begins on a large scale.
- Establish a central repository of all GSF legal instruments, except for commercial contracts, use of premises, and other logistics support functions that are UNSOH responsibility.
- Ensure all legal agreements within the authority of the GSF are reviewed by the Legal Advisory unit prior to their signature by the SR or COS.
- Assist the Chief Strategic Communications to develop responses to harmful mis/disinformation that impact understanding of International Human Rights Law.
- Provide briefings to GSF components on aspects of national and international law relevant to the implementation of the GSF’s mandate.
- Support the Chief of the Conduct and Discipline Team and the Human Rights Adviser, to establish the Terms of Reference for Boards of Inquiry (BOI) including related to alleged violations of International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
- Assist the COS with responding to the discovery or allegations of misconduct by GSF members in areas not related to IHRL, such as fraud, theft, false documentation or the misuse of GSF, UN or government of Haiti assets or property.
- Establish GSF-specific procedures on how to deal with staff matters with legal implications, such as death, arrest or detention.
- Provide a presentation as part of induction training including on privileges and immunities of GSF members.
- Ensure handover notes are produced by Legal Adviser Team staff members to ensure institutional knowledge is passed from outgoing to incoming staff.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.