Legal Counsel

Position Title : Legal Counsel

Duty Station : Geneva, Switzerland

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade D2

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

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 15 November 2023

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

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

Context:

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice and support to all activities of the Organization and gives advice on all matters of a legal and constitutional nature. It ensures that the Organization’s relationships with governments, organizations, private institutions, and individuals have a sound legal basis. It also provides advice inter alia on constitutional issues, the privileges and immunities of the Organization and its staff, contractual issues and administrative matters. The Office consists of the Institutional Law and Programme Support, General and Administrative Law, Contract Law with Units in Manila and Panama City, and the Transparency and Accountability Unit.

Under the overall supervision of the Director General and direct supervision of the Deputy Director General (Management and Reform), the successful candidate will ensure that IOM’s activities are implemented in accordance with the Constitution and other relevant provisions adopted by its Governing Bodies. He/she will manage and monitor the budgetary and human resources management of the Office of Legal Affairs. In particular, they will:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Advise the Senior Management Team, Departments, Regional Offices and Country Offices, as well as IOM’s Governing Bodies on all matters of legal and constitutional nature, including national and international law relevant for IOM.
2. Provide legal advice and support on all legal aspects of documents relevant to the functioning of IOM Departments.
3. Ensure liaison and coordination with the United Nations and UN system organizations as well as other international organizations on legal issues.
4. Provide legal advice and support to IOM’s programmatic and operational activities.
5. Oversee and direct the preparation and negotiation of agreements on IOM privileges and immunities, in Member and non-member countries, and ensure their observance and implementation; provide IOM’s position in regard to tax status, and protection of IOM’s property and assets.
6. Oversee research and direct the preparation of papers on the legal and policy aspects of IOM purposes and functions.
7. Provide legal advice and support in the preparation and negotiation of cooperation agreements, and contracts and assist Departments, Regional Offices, and Country Offices in such activities.
8. Provide legal advice and support in the preparation and interpretation of documents relating to all IOM’s management and administrative policies and functions.
9. Provide legal guidance and advice in response to investigations by the Office of the Inspector General and other services and follow-up actions.
10. Support and provide legal advice to Departments, Regional and Country Offices to effectively implement policies, rules, and regulations.
11. Support the development of organizational positions on data protection issues and provide advice to ensure that the personal data of IOM beneficiaries are collected, used, transferred, and stored in accordance with IOM data protection principles.
12. Represent the Administration in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, including before the administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization.
13. Support IOM in participation in intergovernmental meetings and consultations dealing with international migration law and human rights.
14. Direct and manage the work of the Office of Legal Affairs and ensure quality of output.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or doctorate) in law with emphasis on international law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is required in the practice of law either in the legal office of an international organization, or in a law firm, or the legal office of a Government, with substantial experience in the law of international organizations;
• Minimum four years prior experience with the UN Common system organization; and,
• Field experience is an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to articulate and implement high-level strategic frameworks; and,
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with and represent an organization with high-level external interlocutors.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/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 five 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.

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.