Legal Officer

International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Legal Officer

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 14 July 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. Candidates 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; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; 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.

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.

Within the Department of Legal Affairs, the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) is responsible for all general and administrative law matters, including human resources-related legal issues, the good administration of justice and strengthening the Organization’s accountability and preventive measures framework.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head, General and Administrative Law Division and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will be accountable and responsible for providing legal advice, recommendations and services related to the legal status, constitution, functions, rules and activities of the Organization, including on matters involving human resources legal issues.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Prepare responses to inquiries related to the interpretation and application of IOM UnifiedStaff Regulations and Rules and official Instructions, as well as personnel-related questions generally.
  2. Review documentation in staff misconduct cases, including investigation reports, provide advice and guidance on the management of disciplinary processes, including the imposition of disciplinary and non-disciplinary measures.
  3. Conduct research on international administrative law, including the jurisprudence of the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT), identifying trends and systematic issues.
  4. Provide legal advice on staff grievances and, where appropriate, advise on the informal resolution of such cases.
  5. Assist in negotiating settlements between staff members and the Administration.
  6. Prepare the Administration’s submissions for staff appeals to the Joint Administrative Review Board (JARB) and the ILOAT.
  7. Review IOM official Instructions involving personnel and insurance issues.
  8. Advise individual IOM Offices on privileges and immunities concerning complaints brought by IOM staff members under local labour law systems and attempts by local authorities to detain or subpoena staff members.
  9. Prepare templates for, and review, human resources-related contracts and agreements under the responsibility of LEGGL.
  10. Attend internal and external meetings and conferences relevant to the Office of Legal Affairs.
  11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

  • Master’s degree (or higher) in Law from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
  • University degree in the above field with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

  • Minimum one year of practicing law in an intergovernmental organization with substantial experience in institutional, international, and administrative law;
  • Minimum one year of recent experience advising on investigations involving misconduct (e.g.harassment, fraud, etc.);
  • Minimum one year of recent experience in developing/writing policies related to the administration of justice and accountability within the UN;
  • The following additional experience will be an advantage: (a) experience in the Office of Legal Affairs of an intergovernmental organization; (b) experience analysing a range of legal instruments and undertaking research on a variety of legal issues, preparing comments and preliminary opinions, and drafting legal documents; and, c) experience with privileges and immunities of an intergovernmental organization.

Skills

  • Excellent writing skills;
  • Proven research and analytical skills;
  • Developed research skills and knowledge of the ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) or United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) / United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) jurisprudence; and,
  • Knowledge of the staff conditions of service under the IOM system or UN common system.

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 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 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 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 action 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 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.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 14 July 2022 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

Posting period:

From 24.06.2022 to 14.07.2022

No Fees:

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

Requisition: VN 2022 207 Legal Officer (P3) Geneva, Switzerland (57644752) Released

Posting: Posting NC57644753 (57644753) Released


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