Legal Support Assistant-NPSA5 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/1905/2025804

Legal Support Assistant-NPSA5 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/1905/2025804

Santiago (Chile)

JOB DESCRIPTION
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values ​​and  inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the United Nations’ principal development agency, uniquely positioned to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through work in more than 170 countries and territories. The 2030 Agenda, approved by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, was launched in January 2016 and will guide UNDP policies and funding for the next 15 years.

Law No. 21,091 on Higher Education creates the Undersecretariat of Higher Education, which collaborates with the Ministry of Education in the development, implementation, and evaluation of higher education policies and programs, especially in areas related to development, promotion, internationalization, and continuous improvement, both in the university and technical-professional subsystems. In accordance with the above, the aforementioned law establishes that the Undersecretariat must have a Division of Higher Technical-Professional Education.

The Division of Higher Technical and Professional Education, pursuant to Decree No. 299 of 2022 of the Ministry of Education, establishes its functions: to maintain links between the Undersecretariat of Higher Education and the country’s existing Technical Training Centers and Professional Institutes; to design and support the implementation of policies, programs, and actions relevant to the Higher Technical and Professional Education System; to generate proposals for technical and professional strategies and develop public policies aimed at improving the system; and to carry out the necessary and pertinent actions that must be carried out within the framework of compliance with Law No. 20,800 and other tasks assigned by the Undersecretary of Higher Education.

In accordance with the above, the Undersecretariat of Higher Education has taken on the challenge of promoting a modernization agenda for the country’s Higher Education, especially Higher Technical and Vocational Education, with strategies and policies, and in coordination with various stakeholders in the technical and vocational education sector. This agenda entails analyzing the existing regulatory bodies that affect this subsystem and determining how they should be improved for better implementation, while also considering the possibilities of creating new governance structures. In this regard, the Higher Technical and Vocational Education Division has taken a leading role.

Therefore, to achieve the above, legal support and analysis of the required matters are needed, being able to provide guidance and recommendations for work in technical-professional higher education, offering specialized advice on the matter, developing legal and interpretive strategies of the legislative norm, which allow generating or modifying the desired instruments, consolidating the work to link it with the modernization agenda, the directories of the State CFTs and the work that derives from it, seeking to advance with the identified guidelines and thus promote progress in higher technical-professional education.

It is in this context that UNDP requires hiring a Legal Support Assistant for the General Coordination Unit, in the matters that are required, being able to provide guidance and recommendations for work in technical-professional higher education, offering specialized advice on the subject, developing legal strategies that allow creating and/or modifying the desired instruments and the elements related to participation in the boards of directors of the State CFTs.

3. Scope of work

The general objective of this position is to provide legal support in the various stages of development of instruments and/or public policies for higher technical and professional education at the higher level, as reviewed by the areas of the Higher Technical and Professional Education Division.

Among the expected functions and results are:

Provide legal support for matters required by the various areas of the Higher Technical and Vocational Education Division, such as modifications or creation of administrative acts and regulations, providing necessary input and participating in the convened instances.
Review existing documentation and gather relevant information, as well as propose strategies for analysis, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of relevant topics proposed by the leadership and/or teams of the Technical Professional Division.

Review background information and generate legal reports on matters related to the modernization agenda linked to vocational training education, with special attention to the vocational training Qualifications Framework, the INNOVA vocational training strategy, State Technical Training Centers (CFTE), Professional Institutes and Technical Training Centers in general, in CFTE infrastructure projects, in the CFTE Coordination Committee, in the modification of Law 20,800, proposal for a new governance of CFTE, among others.
Organize, manage, develop, and/or participate in meetings and/or activities relevant to the Technical Professional Division, with key stakeholders for achieving the Project’s objectives, either as part of the Work Plan or at the request of the General Coordination or Division Head.
Support the development of coordination actions for the boards of directors of the State CFTs, ​​as well as their legal guidance and respective analysis.
The incumbent performs other duties within his or her functional profile that are deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

4.Institutional Agreement

The position will be held in person at the offices of the Undersecretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, in the city of Santiago, Metropolitan Region, Chile.

The selected candidate will work in the Higher Technical and Vocational Education Division, under the supervision of the General Coordinator. The work schedule will be as scheduled at the workplace. The project coordinator will be responsible for administrative supervision on behalf of UNDP.

5. Competencies

Essential Competencies

Achieving Results – LEVEL 1 : Plans and monitors work, paying attention to detail, produces quality work on time.

Thinking Innovatively – LEVEL 1 : Open to new ideas, knows the risks, solves problems pragmatically, makes improvements.

Continuous Learning – LEVEL 1 : Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 1 : Adapts to changes, handles uncertainty/ambiguity constructively, is flexible.

Act with Determination LEVEL 1 : Demonstrates control and motivation, able to face adversity calmly, confidently.

Participate and Associate – LEVEL 1 : Demonstrates compassion/understanding toward others, forms positive relationships.

Facilitating Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 1 : Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of biases, confronts discrimination.

Functional and Technical Competencies

Business Management – Communication

Communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously, both verbally and in writing; tailor messages and select communication methods based on the audience. Ability to manage internal and external communications through social media, media, and other appropriate channels.

Business Development – Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and transform information into useful knowledge relevant to the context or that addresses established needs. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations and develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that may be useful in addressing new situations.
Network and alliance management – Relationship management

Ability to engage a wide range of public and private stakeholders, building, maintaining, and/or strengthening working relationships, trust, and mutual understanding.
Agenda 2030 – Prosperity – Inclusive Growth

Social inclusion
6. Minimum qualifications of an NPSA

Minimum academic education required

Complete secondary education is required
A professional university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the field of Law or equivalent will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Having a professional degree in the mentioned area will be considered an advantage.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum 5 years (with Secondary Education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience
Relevant experience will be understood as the set of work experience that includes:Experience working or providing legal services or as a lawyer in the public sector, particularly in areas related to administrative law and with a special emphasis on education.
Required skills and competencies

Proficiency in remote work tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, cloud storage, and collaborative work tools.
Handling of traditional Microsoft Office tools: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Outlook email management and its features.
Desirable skills and competencies

Specialization, courses, diplomas or postgraduate degrees in the subjects of interest (administrative law, education, public policies, public management, among others)
Experience in education-related activities, particularly those related to the areas of action of the Higher Technical and Vocational Education Division (e.g., liaison with CFTs and IPs, design and support for the implementation of policies, programs, and actions relevant to the Higher Technical and Vocational Education System, generation of proposals for the respective strategy, and development of appropriate public policies for its implementation).

Experience in the articulation or coordination of different actors or entities, ideally from the educational system.
Experience in preparing legal reports, ideally in administrative and educational settings.
Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
Have at least 3 years of experience in or with the public sector in general.
Required languages ​​(at work level)

Fluency in the Spanish language is required.
Intermediate knowledge and handling of the English language is desirable.
7. Travel:

The position considers national and/or international travel as needed by the Higher Technical Professional Education Division.

8. The following documents must be required from applicants:

P11 (online application) and CV indicating previous positions and their responsibilities, duration (month-year), requirements, as well as the candidate’s contact details (email and phone number), and at least three references from previous supervisors. References may also include colleagues.
A cover letter (maximum one page) stating why the person is considered suitable for the position.
Degree and postgraduate certificates.

Managers may request any other relevant material from your experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.
Information of interest:

Website with information of interest:  Undersecretariat of Higher Education
Considerations in your application :

Complete the online form; it is required.
Please also attach a CV in free format as a complement.
Include a cover letter (maximum one page) stating why you consider yourself suitable for the position.
Identify at least three job references from previous supervisors. References may also include colleagues.
Because this is a national position, foreigners must meet the conditions necessary to work in the country (residency, permit) at the time of applying.
Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.

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