Senior Legal Officer

Position Title: Senior Legal Officer

Job Code: VN 2023 493

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 11 December 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 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 Department of Legal Affairs is comprised of three divisions, the Contracts Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division.

The General and Administrative Law Division (LEG-GL) 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 and representing the Organization in internal justice processes, including the Joint Appeals Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal;
• 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 Regional and

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 direct supervision of the Head of the General and Administrative Law Division, the Senior Legal Officer will be accountable and responsible for providing legal advice, recommendations, and services related to the responsibilities of the General and Administrative Law Division.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Advise the Office of the Director General and IOM Regional and Country Offices on the interpretation and implementation of IOM’s privileges and immunities within LEG-GL’s area of responsibility.
2. Supervise the review and drafting of legal submissions in LEG-GL’s area of responsibility, draft legal submissions in the complex cases
3. Develop and review internal rules and policies to address ongoing reforms and ensure the effective functioning of the internal administration of the justice system and robust misconduct-prevention mechanisms.
4. Provide legal advice to senior officials on a wide range of complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting legal and personnel matters, involving substantive and procedural issues relating to international administrative law and administration of justice, including the provision of legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and other policies.
5. Review investigation reports and provide recommendations on appropriate actions; handle disciplinary procedures and draft related correspondences.
6. Represent, the Organization in internal administrative proceedings, including in staff appeals before the Joint Administrative Review Board, and supervise the drafting of legal submissions. Draft written pleadings to the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILOAT) and handle related Tribunal’s requests.
7. Keep abreast of developments in the law of the international civil service, administration of justice, and accountability and prepare legal opinions, briefs, and reports, as requested.
8. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

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

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional legal experience;
• At least four years of practicing law in an international organization, in the field of international administrative law; and,
• Demonstrated experience with administrative investigations and disciplinary matters.

Skills

• Proven research and analytical skills; and,
• Sound knowledge of the jurisprudence of international administrative tribunals and/or the staff conditions of service under the UN Common System would be an advantage.

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 and another UN 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 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, and 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.p df

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 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 in Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.