Division Head, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL)

Position Title: Division Head, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P5

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 30 August 2022

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

The Department of Legal Affairs provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, the Regional Offices, Country Offices, and other Departments and Offices of the Organization. The Department 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 instructions and international law.

The General and Administrative Law Division is responsible for:

• Advising on misconduct cases and the management of disciplinary processes, including the imposition of disciplinary and non-disciplinary measures;
• Reviewing the legality of contested decisions in formal Requests for Review by staff members;
• Representing the Organization in internal justice processes, including the Joint Appeals

Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal;

• Reviewing investigation reports and other findings of the Office of the Inspector General in relation to IOM staff members;
• Reviewing policies related to management and human resources, including revisions to the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, instructions and other issuances.
• Assisting with the roll-out of the Unified Staff Rules to local staff members in IOM Country Offices worldwide;
• Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to employment disputes, including on litigation filed in national courts;
• Preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of personnel policies, contractual terms and complex administrative law matters; and,
• Reviewing contracts, agreements and templates for staff and non-staff personnel, (including for internships, consultancies, escorts, loans, secondments, standby personnel, Junior Professional Officers, and settlements with staff members).

The Division Head, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) will work under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Direct and manage the Division by organizing and prioritizing workload, allocating assignments, supervising the work of Legal Officers, establishing and maintaining a system for tracking the work of the Division and maintaining statistical data.
2. Review organizational policies, guidance and internal communications relating to Human Resources matters, from a legal perspective, including the Staff Regulations and Rules, instructions and other issuances.
3. Advise Senior Management on matters relating to International Administrative Law and Human Resources, including recommendations in disciplinary matters and challenges to administrative decisions.
4. Provide prompt and responsive legal support to Regional and Country offices in Human Resources matters, through the preparation of advice.
5. Manage the representation of the Organization in administrative and tribunal proceedings, including before the Joint Administrative Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).
6. Advise on settlement of claims and disputes in the Human Resources matters, including evaluating the merits of claims, establishing the strategy and approach of settlements, and preparing the terms and conditions of the settlement agreements.
7. Represent the Department of Legal Affairs in working groups, task forces and committees addressing matters within the Division’s area of responsibility.
8. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Law from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or
• A first-level university degree in Law in combination with twelve years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of ten years of professional legal experience, including legal research, analysis and writing, of which five years includes professional legal experience in an intergovernmental organization or a Government addressing matters of international administrative law and human resources management;
• Experience in managing a team;
• Experience in litigation before an international administrative tribunal, reviewing investigation reports and advising on disciplinary matters.

Skills

• Excellent writing and research skills;
• Knowledge of public international law, in particular law of international organizations.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French or 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.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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 wherever possible.
• 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.

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 action 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 potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

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