Legal Officer

Position Title: Legal Officer

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 09 June 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.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

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 responsibilities of the Department of Legal Affairs, and the Office of the Legal Counsel in particular, include:

• Preparing legal opinions on the interpretation of the IOM Constitution, the mandate of the Organization, the rules of procedure of the Council and the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance, and other basic texts;
• Preparing legal advice on the status of IOM and the relationship of IOM with states, the United Nations and other international organizations
• Promoting respect for the privileges and immunities of the Organization;
• Preparing legal opinions and studies on the interpretation of public international law, as it relates to IOM and its operations;
• Preparing legal advice on the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational policies, including on activities related to migration management, humanitarian assistance and emergency response, and peace and development;
• Advising on data protection;
• Establishing and maintaining a knowledge management system for the Department.

The Legal Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Deputy Legal Counsel.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Perform legal research and analysis on public international law as regards a variety of in-house legal issues, including privileges and immunities, governing bodies, constitution and mandate of IOM, intellectual property rights, and data protection.
2. Prepare legal opinions, studies, background notes and advise on legal aspects of IOM operations.
3. Review and advise on organizational policies.
4. Advise on data protection matters.
5. Draft and review diverse agreements taking into account of IOM’s legal status, and the organizational policies, regulations and rules.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

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

Experience

• A total of two years (or four years depending on the education qualification, see above) of relevant professional experience;
• Experience working in the legal department of an intergovernmental organization;
• Experience in analysing a range of legal instruments and undertaking research on a variety of legal issues, preparing comments and preliminary opinions, and drafting legal documents is a strong asset.

Skills

• Excellent writing skills;
• Proven 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 in French and/or Spanish language 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

• 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

• 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.

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.