Legal Officer (2 positions)

Position Title: Legal Officer (2 Positions)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 January 2024

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. Candidates 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.

Context:

The Department of Legal Affairs provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, the regional offices, the 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 AppealsReview 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).

Under the overall supervision of the Head, General & Administrative Law Division and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will work in the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) and provide legal advice, recommendations and services related to the legal status, constitution, functions, rules and activities of the Organization, particularly involving human resources legal issues.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Advise individual IOM offices on privileges and immunities issues arising from, for example, claims filed by staff or individual contractors before national authorities, arrest and detention of IOM personnel, tax exemption, affiliation of staff in the national security system etc.)
2. Draft submissions on behalf of the Organization in administrative and tribunal proceedings, including before the Joint Administrative Review Board (JARB) and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).
3. Review Investigation Reports received from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), make a legal assessment as to whether a disciplinary process is warranted, and either initiate a disciplinary process or draft legal advice on other measures to be taken.
4. Draft legal advice to senior officials on matters involving the application of international administrative law, including recommendations for amicable settlement of litigation, the final decision by the Director General upon completion of the internal appeal process, disciplinary measures or other administrative measures upon completion of disciplinary processes; Further assist in the implementation of these recommendations.
5. Attend internal and external meetings and conferences relevant to LEGGL.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in Law in combination with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• A minimum of five years (seven years for Bachelor’s degree holders) of relevant professional experience in international administrative law, including handling litigation cases and disciplinary matters.

Skills

• Excellent writing and research skills; and,
• Demonstrated knowledge of public international administrative law.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and 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

• The duty station is Geneva, Switzerland.
• Subject to approval the selected candidate may be authorized to telecommute (100% remoteworking).
• This position is funded by project funds. The possible extension of the incumbent’s contract is subject to the continuing availability of those project funds, continuing need for the position, as well as satisfactory performance and conduct of the incumbent.

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 2

• 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.

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 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 background verification 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.