Job Description

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.

Context:

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, the Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, 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. 

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel, the Senior Legal Officer is responsible and accountable for providing timely, accurate legal advice and other services on issues relating to the functions of the Office of Legal Affairs across all functional areas.

Responsibilities

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Serve as a lead officer and independently handle a wide range of legal matters in the relevant areas of concentration.
2. Provide legal advice on a wide range of substantive and procedural issues relating to public international law, including but not limited to mandate, status, governance and privileges and immunities of IOM, the relationship of IOM with states, the United Nations and other international organizations, and the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational policies.
3. Undertake legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies and background notes on the interpretation of public international law, as it relates to IOM status, privileges and immunities, mandate and operations.
4. Draft, review and support the negotiations of host country agreements, and draft related correspondence.
5. Review and provide comments on organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures and guidelines.
6. Provide support to LEG deliverables under its annual workplan including ad hoc reviews of LEG's compliance and governance framework, risk management systems, contract management processes, knowledge, case and document management systems, and training and awareness raising initiatives;
7. Supervise other lawyers, as may be decided.
8. Perform any other related duties, as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in International Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience providing advice in public international law, of which at least five years within an intergovernmental organization preferably in the UN system; and,
• In-depth experience handling legal matters related to the status, privileges and immunities, governance, mandate and operations of international organizations.

Skills:

• Knowledge of public international law, in particular the institutional law of international organizations, required;
• Knowledge of international humanitarian law an advantage;
• Knowledge of international human rights law an advantage;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Excellent reasearch and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail, enabling thorough and comprehensive legal analysis;
• Proven skills in negotiations with governments an advantage; 
• Excellent organizational skills; and,
• Ability to effectively work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

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, French, Russian, and Spanish) 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 three 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 3

•  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 3

• 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. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

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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