Legal Officer (P)

Job Description

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

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, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Office 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 Office provides support to ensure that the activities and operations of the Organization are carried out in accordance with the Legal Framework governing the International Organization for Migration (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 Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS), the Contract Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), as well as the Regional Legal Hubs.

Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and the direct supervision of the Division Head, Contract Law Division, the Legal Officer will provide timely and accurate legal advice and facilitate the efficient functioning of the Office.

Responsibilities

1.    Provide legal advice on various types of contracts related to US and Canadian funding and operations, taking into account IOM's legal status, IOM's contract templates and IOM's rules and regulations.
2.    Act as focal point within the Office for contract-related matters involving the US and Canada, providing guidance and follow-up as required.
3.    Assist with the development of new contract templates as needed, to protect the legal interests of IOM.
4.    Provide timely and accurate legal advice in relation to negotiations and contract-related disputes.
5.    Conduct trainings for IOM personnel on contract law issues arising in the area of responsibility and promote LEGCR online resources available to colleagues, as required.
6.    Draft and participate in negotiating legal terms and contracts in order to help protect IOM's legal interests in arrangements with third parties.
7.    Support the LEGCR Division Head in knowledge management for the Division, to promote efficiency and effectiveness.
8.    Performing such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

•    Master’s degree in law, public international law, or a related legal field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or, 
•    Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
•    Being admitted to practice law in the United States (U.S. qualified lawyer) is desirable.

Experience

•    Recent legal practising experience in commercial / contract law and/or dispute resolution either in a private law firm, as an in-house counsel in the private sector, within the United Nations system, or an intergovernmental organization.

Skills

•    Excellent writing skills;
•    Proven legal research and contract review skills; and,
•    Knowledge of public international law, in particular, law of international organizations.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

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.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and 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.


Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

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, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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