Head of Preliminary Examinations Section (P-5)

Organisational Context

The Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division (JCCD) is one of the three functional divisions of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), corresponding to the three major activities of the Office. The Division comprises two sections: the International Cooperation Section (ICS) and the Preliminary Examination Section (PES). ICS overseas all cooperation requests to States, international organisations and other partners to facilitate investigations and prosecutions before the Court and secure the necessary evidence; negotiates cooperation agreements; coordinates with the Registry in the area of arrest and surrender; and coordinates the external relations functions of the Office. PES carries out all preliminary examinations, irrespective of whether a situation is brought before the Court as a result of a State Party or United Nations Security Council referral or on the basis of the Prosecutor’s acting proprio motu pursuant to article 15 of the Statute. PES provides advice on complex matters of fact and law regarding jurisdiction, admissibility, and the interests of justice and provides essential recommendations to the Prosecutor on the opening of new investigations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Director of the Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division, the incumbent performs the following tasks:

• Coordinate and supervise the review process of all Article 15 (Rome Statue) communications and referrals received by the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), including the legal, contextual and factual analyses undertaken by the Preliminary Examination Section;
• Provide  sustained and high level expertise on complex factual and legal issues, particularly during preliminary examinations, as well as during investigations and trials on issues relevant to areas of JCCD competency, namely: jurisdiction, admissibility (complementarity and gravity), and related areas of public international law relevant to the preliminary examinations;
• Coordinate and supervise cooperation activities relating to preliminary examinations, including the sending of and follow-up on requests for information, field visits, and consultation with partners;
• With regard to preliminary examination, devise and coordinate the OTP’s public communication with the Immediate Office of the Prosecutor, and supervise network building and external relations activities with regard to preliminary examinations, including for representation, prevention and complementarity-enhancement purposes;
• Manage and supervise the work of a team of PES staff, working in collaboration with colleagues from other Divisions and Sections;
• Provide strategic, legal and policy guidance to Division Director and OTP Executive Committee on matters related to preliminary examination; .
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and experience  

Education:

An advanced university degree in law, international relations, political science or a related field.  A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:      

• A minimum of ten years (twelve years with a first level university degree) of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in the areas of legal and contextual analysis or any other related field is required;
• Experience in report drafting, oral and written advocacy and/or public speaking is required;
• Prior experience in  the field of national and/or international criminal justice would be considered an advantage;
• Professional experience working in relevant international organisations, domestic judicial or law enforcement institutions is strongly desired;
• Leadership and managerial experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent knowledge of the substantive and procedural provisions of the Rome Statute;
• Excellent ability to undertake legal and contextual analysis, present sound advice on the basis of objective and critical evaluation of the information received, exercising sound judgement and discretion;
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to prepare and present reports that are clear, concise and meaningful;
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with flexibility and ability to adjust in a highly dynamic environment
• Strong communication and negotiation skills as well as ability to interact with tact and diplomacy;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to keep strict standards of confidentiality and security;
• Professional integrity.

Knowledge of languages

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, French or English is required. Working knowledge of the other is an asset. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) would 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

- In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC is committed to achieving geographical representation and gender equality within its staff as well as representation of the principal legal systems of the world (legal positions). Nationals from the list of non-represented and under-represented States are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, applications from women are strongly encouraged for senior positions at the Professional (P) and Director (D) levels. Posts shall 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, as appropriate.

- 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.
- 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.