Legal Officer (Head, Contract Law Division, Manila Unit) (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17778
Position Title: Legal Officer (Head, Contract Law Division, Manila Unit) (P)
Duty Station City: Manila
Duty Station Country: Philippines
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: One year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 30 December 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Office of Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and other Departments and Offices of the Organization. The Office provides support to ensure that the activities and operations of the Organization are carried out in accordance with the legal framework governing IOM, including the IOM Constitution, decisions of the governing bodies of IOM, the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, the Financial Regulations and Rules, IOM internal governance and administrative instruments and international law.

The Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS), the Contract Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), as well as Regional Legal Hubs. The Legal Counsel and Director of the Office is responsible for managing the Office and providing strategic direction for the work of the Office, as well as providing legal advice to Senior Management, reporting directly to the Director General.

The Contract Law Division (LEGCR) is responsible for:  

• Providing legal advice on all types of contracts necessary for IOM’s operations and activities, including public and private donor funding agreements, contracts for the purchase of goods and services, project implementation agreements and cooperation agreements with partners and Governments; 
• Reviewing contracts that deviate from the Organization’s standard terms and conditions, advising colleagues worldwide on the relevant implications, legal risks and suggested mitigation;
• Reviewing internal administrative instruments and policies related to contracting and otherwise raising contract law issues; 
• Assisting colleagues worldwide to structure contractual arrangements for projects, including cash based initiatives and public-private partnerships; 
• Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to contracts and appropriate legal protections in complex areas such as funding conditions, intellectual property, confidentiality, liability and settlement of disputes; 
• Representing the Organization as needed in contractual negotiations and disputes. Preparing legal advice on issues of breach of contract and contractual termination; and,
• Developing and maintaining repository of contract templates for the Organization. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Contract Law Division, the Legal Officer (Unit Head, Manila Unit, Contract Law Division) will be accountable and responsible for the following activities. 

Responsibilities

1. Oversee, supervise, and manage the day-to-day work of LEGCR Manila Unit, Contract Law Division (LEGCR) and guide and supervise the work of the Legal Officers within the Unit.
2. Review and approve various types of contracts and agreements necessary for the development and implementation of IOM projects in a timely manner with limited supervision, taking into account  IOM's legal status, IOM's contract templates and the organizational policies, regulations and rules.
3. Revise and update IOM contract templates, including identifying the needs of developing new templates and revising existing templates.
4. Provide timely and pertinent legal advice to contract related (potential) disputes and other problems, including proposing the best actions in response to court summons or invitation to conciliation or arbitration.
5. Review and provide comments to various organizational policies related to the work of LEGCR, including in the areas of funding and operations,
6. Conduct trainings on concluding contracts and agreements for IOM staff for the English-speaking regions.
7. Participate in negotiating legal terms of contracts and agreements and undertake consultations with internal and external entities, as required.
8. Work on a variety of in-house legal issues concerning contractual matters, including drafting or reviewing research papers.
9. Follow up on meetings and international conferences (mainly in the English-speaking regions) relevant to the Office of Legal Affairs regarding issues related to the work of LEGCR.
10. Represent LEGCR in the internal meetings in absence of the Division Head and assist the Division Head in leading the functions of LEGCR.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in Law with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional legal experience:
• At least two years of practicing contract law in the Legal Department of an international organization or private sector entity, or law firm; 
• Demonstrated experience with contractual negotiation and disputes; and,
• Experience managing the work of a team an advantage.

Skills

• Proven legal research and contract review skills;
• Membership of national bar or equivalent professional legal qualification; and,
• Knowledge of the privileges and immunities of international organizations an advantage.  

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. 

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and French) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings. 

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country can be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, 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.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.

Required Skills

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