Legal Officer

Vacancy Notice

Legal Officer

Ref. Nr. 061/2017

Location:                                                       Iraq, Erbil with frequent travel to Baghdad

Start of Contract:                                         1 March 2018

Category of Staff:                                         Globally Engaged position, Professional (E5), position is eligible for expatriate allowances           

Organization profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes.  Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based international organization with headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands.  Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating and identifying missing persons. As the only international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons, ICMP maintains field programs throughout the world.  To learn more about ICMP click here.

Iraq Program

The ICMP is implementing a multi-year project in Iraq to support authorities in their efforts to account for persons missing as a result of armed conflict and violations of human rights.

Position Background

This position is based in Erbil and will involve travel throughout the country. The successful candidate will review and evaluate legislative developments relating to Missing Persons, advising ICMP on and contributing to legislative reform efforts, and providing legal support to the Iraq Program. The position requires advanced legal knowledge, in addition to advanced diplomatic skills and political awareness, as well as a commitment to promoting the rule-of-law and human rights in Iraq.

Reporting to the Head of Mission (Iraq Program), and in close coordination with the Director for Policy and Cooperation (based in The Hague), the incumbent’s assigned duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Conduct a comprehensive comparative review of current federal and provincial legislation against international norms and standards related to missing persons, identify gaps and developing recommendations for legal reform;
• Provide advice and technical assistance to ministries and institutions in the development of legislation to meet international legal obligations pertaining to the issue of missing persons;
• Advice relevant ministries and institutions in their effort to implement the provisions of international human rights instruments that address the issue of missing persons;
• Provide support to legal professionals and legislative initiatives by civil society organizations directly engaged in missing persons issues and in support of the development of professional capacities;
• Participate in training and capacity-building activities organized by ICMP related to the rights of families of the missing;
• Provide legal advice and support in developing cooperation agreements between ICMP and Iraqi federal and provincial authorities; and
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• University or equivalent degree in Law;
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience;
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English is essential, knowledge of Kurdish and Arabic is an advantage;
• In-depth understanding of rule-of-law and its application to the issue areas;
• Sound knowledge of human rights;
• Proven ability to work effectively in a highly political environment;
• Discretion, tact and professionalism;
• Understanding of the institutional structure in Iraq related to missing persons, as well as Iraqi criminal procedure and public administrative law, is desirable.

Additional requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point;
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender;
• Willingness to travel and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings, when necessary;
• Commitment to the underlying objective of assisting the authorities and families of the missing in locating and identifying missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner;
• Physically and mentally robust with the ability to operate effectively in hostile environments.

HOW TO APPLY: By email, send a Curriculum Vitae with cover letter and three work-related references to application@icmp.int . Please state the vacancy number in the subject line.

APPLICATION CLOSE DATE: Review of applications begins on 18 January 2018. However, the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.

ICMP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.