Senior Legal Officer (Legal Business Manager)

Position Title: Senior Legal Officer (Legal Business Manager)

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: 08 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. 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 Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division. The Office of the Legal Counsel is responsible for managing and providing strategic direction for the work of the Department.

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel, the Senior Legal Officer (Legal Business Manager) will be responsible for supporting the Department in expanding its internal knowledge management system, with a view toward (i) ensuring that all basic documents (templates, guidance, standard operating procedures, legal opinions) are accessible to personnel across Divisions and the Organization, and (ii) generating data on the nature and volume of requests for legal advice and clearance, and outputs which will serve as a basis for the Department to identify trends, to be more responsive to the needs of client offices, and to provide guidance aimed at prevention of legal risks rather than post-hoc mitigation.

The incumbent will also be responsible for providing legal input to Business Transformation initiatives in order to make sure that the contract lifecycle in the Oracle ERP is fit for purpose. The incumbent will provide expert support to the Oracle ERP design of the Supply Chain Management, Fundraising to Agreement, and Project to Reporting streams from a contracts perspective. This includes managing the legal content within available templates, and drafting and coordinating the process flow designs for concluding procurement contracts, donor, cooperation, and other agreements.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement knowledge management tools and business processes within the Department of Legal Affairs , including developing and managing information technology and digital resources.
2. Serve as Focal Point for the Department of Legal Affairs for coordination with the BusinessTransformation (BT) Team, under the supervision of the Head of Contract Law Division.
3. Collaborate with Legal colleagues worldwide in order to document and manage changes made to current processes, system support gaps, and improvements to the business model and workflows, including those related to ERP implementation.
4. Ensure that any new LEG business process and technological solutions are implemented in accordance with the organization’s regulations, instructions, policies, procedures, and practices, taking into consideration the relevant operational control systems from the IOM Internal Governance Framework (IGF).
5. Develop and lead training initiatives, in both the design stage and the delivery stage, by providing inputs, documenting requirements, and supporting the design and delivery of training programs in relation to the new LEG business process.
6. Manage change within LEG to promote acceptance and ‘buy-in’ at all stages and ensure smooth implementation of necessary changes to internal LEG business practices, procedures, processes, and systems.
7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in law, public international law, or a related legal field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Seven years (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of relevant professional experience in the United Nations or an intergovernmental organization (IGO);
• Experience in project management or business analysis is an advantage; and,
• Field experience in the UN system is an advantage.

Skills

• Knowledge of IOM/UN legal procedures and rules is an advantage; and,
• Knowledge of ERP and other legal technology tools highly desirable.

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) [please delete the language already mentioned as required] 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 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.