Legal Adviser (P-4)

Organizational Context

Under articles 34(b) and 36(1) of the Rome Statute, the Chambers are composed of 18 judges, distributed between three divisions: Pre­Trial, Trial and Appeals. The Presidency decides on the assignment of judges to judicial divisions following consultation with them, assigns situations and cases to the Pre­Trial and Trial Divisions, and manages the overall budgetary and staffing requirements of the Judiciary as a whole.

Pre­Trial Division

The Pre­Trial Division handles all requests regarding either the initiation of an investigation or the preservation of evidence during the investigation and the entire first phase of judicial proceedings, up to the confirmation of the charges on which the case against the person(s) charged proceeds to trial.

Trial Division

The Trial Division is composed of the Trial Chambers, whose mandate is to conduct trials, following confirmation of charges by the Pre­Trial Chambers. The mandate continues until the conclusion of the reparation phase. In conducting the trials, the Chambers are required to ensure, in accordance with article 64 of the Rome Statute, that a trial is fair and expeditious and is conducted with full respect for the rights of the accused and due regard for the protection of victims and witnesses.

Appeals Division

The principal statutory function of the Appeals Chamber is to hear final appeals against decisions on acquittal or conviction and sentence, and potentially reparations at the end of a trial, as well as interlocutory appeals against certain decisions of the Pre­Trial and Trial Chambers made in the course of proceedings.

The Appeals Division is composed of the President of the Court and four other Judges. The Judges of the Appeals Division elect from amongst their members a President of the Division, who oversees its administration. Judicial functions are carried out by the Appeals Chamber, which is composed of all five Judges of the Appeals Division. In relation to each appeal, the Judges decide on a Presiding Judge. Legal and administrative staff is assigned to the Appeals Division and its Judges to support their work. The legal staff provide assistance to the Appeals Chamber in teams, which are led by the Legal Adviser.

Duties & Responsibilities

Under the general authority of the President of the Division and the direct supervision of the Head of Chambers’ Staff, the Legal Adviser shall perform the following duties:

• prove support and advice (both orally and in writing) on questions of procedural and substantive law as well as on factual issues in relation to appeals proceedings, paying particular attention to the need for accuracy and consistency in the jurisprudence of the Appeals Chambers;
• lead and coordinate the work of the legal teams and ensure that time lines and quality standards are met;
• directly supervise the legal staff of the Appeals Division;
• review drafts produced by the legal staff;
• support the Appeals Chamber in the practical management of proceedings;
• liaise between the Appeals Division/Chamber and the other judicial Divisions, the Presidency, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Registry, and the representatives for the defence, victims and States, if so instructed by the President of the Division, a Presiding Judge and/or the Head of Chambers’ Staff;
• assist the Appeals Chamber in the preparation of status conferences and other hearings;
• assist the Appeals Chamber in the handling of evidence and of court records;
• serve on various committees and working groups in the Court on behalf of the Appeals Division, if so requested by the President of the Division and/or the Head of Chambers’ Staff;
• ensure the continued development of the quality and efficiency of legal research and the efficient use of electronic research tools;
• assist the President of the Division in the administration of the Appeals Division;
• carry out other tasks as required by the President of the Division, the Presiding Judges and/or the Head of Chambers’ Staff.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

An advanced university degree in law, preferably with a specialisation in international criminal law, international humanitarian law or human rights law. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of progressively relevant experience is accepted in lieu of advanced university degree;

Experience:

At least seven years (nine years with a first level university degree) of relevant and progressively responsible professional experience in the legal field, in particular in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, human rights law, other relevant branches of international law, or criminal law and procedure;

Skills and abilities:

• good knowledge of the Common Law and the Romano-Germanic systems of law;
• proven research skills and experience in working with search engines and databases;
• extensive experience in analysing complex and novel legal issues and in developing innovative and creative solutions;
• excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare independently legal opinions and memoranda for direct submission to the Appeals Chamber;
• excellent interpersonal skills and written, spoken and presentational communication skills;
• demonstrated intellectual leadership and managerial skills;
• ability to make quality decisions under extreme time constraints;
• ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues of different national and cultural backgrounds with appreciation of diversity;
• capability to work collaboratively and proactively with colleagues in order to achieve organisational goals and the timeliness of work;
• excellent computer skills and ability to use relevant software applications, in particular information databases and internet/intranet services.

Knowledge of Languages:

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court (English or French) is required; a good working knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) will be considered an asset.

ICC Core Competencies

Dedication to the mission and values
- Acts consistently in accordance with the mission and values of the Organisation;
- Maintains confidentiality, acts with integrity and shows respect for diversity;
- Shows commitment to the organisation;
- Presents a positive image of the organisation during external discussions.

Professionalism
- Applies professional and technical expertise;
- Keeps abreast of organisational issues;
- Produces workable solutions to a range of problems.

Teamwork
- Listens, consults and communicates proactively;
- Handles disagreements with tact and diplomacy;
- Recognises and rewards the contribution of others.

Learning and developing
- Identifies development strategies needed to achieve work and career goals and makes use of developmental or training opportunities;
- Learns from successes and failures;
- Seeks feedback and gives feedback to others to increase organisational effectiveness;
- Seeks opportunities for improvement of work;
- Has an open mind and contributes to innovation.

Handling uncertain situations
- Adapts to changing circumstances;
- Deals with ambiguity, making positive use of the opportunities it presents;
- Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances;
- Manages time effectively.

Interaction
- Expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly;
- Handles contacts with diplomacy and tact;
- Communicates in a transparent and open way with internal and external contacts while complying with confidentiality requirements.

Realising objectives
- Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm;
- Keeps to agreements with others;
- Focuses on client needs;
- Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people;
- Monitors and maintains quality and productivity.

General Information

- The selected candidate will be subject to a Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) process in accordance with ICC policy. The PSC process will include but will not be limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check.
- Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ICC E-Recruitment web-site.
- Post to be filled preferably by a national of a State Party to the ICC Statute, or of a State which has signed and is engaged in the ratification process or which is engaged in the accession process, but nationals from non-state parties may also be considered.
- In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC aims to achieve fair representation of women and men for all positions, representation of the principal legal systems of the world for legal positions, and equitable geographical representation for positions in the professional category.
- Applications from female candidates are particularly encouraged.
- The Court reserves the right not to make any appointment to the vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.