Legal Officer (2 positions) (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 14455
Position Title: Legal Officer
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-2
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 08 May 2025

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

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, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, 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.

Context

The Office of Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, 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 IOM, including the IOM Constitution, decisions of the governing bodies of IOM, the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, the Financial Regulations and Rules, IOM internal governance and administrative instruments 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 Regional Legal Hubs. 

LEGPS provides legal advice on the structure, mandate and functions of the Organization, based on the IOM’s Constitution, other basic texts, such as the Rules of Procedure of the IOM Council and Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance, relevant Council decisions and international law. The Division deals with core questions of IOM’s legal status and privileges and immunities; provides advice to ensure a sound legal basis for the Organization’s legal relationship with States, the United Nations and other international organizations; supports the work of the IOM governing bodies; advises on the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational policies; and provides advice to field offices and Headquarters to ensure that personal data are collected, used, transferred or otherwise processed in accordance with the IOM data protection legal framework.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of LEGPS and direct supervision of a Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will work in the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS) to assist in providing timely, accurate legal advice and other services related to the institutional law and programme support area.

Responsibilities

1. Undertake legal research and analysis, and prepare background notes, and preliminary drafts of legal opinions and studies on a wide range of substantive and procedural issues relating to public international law, such as mandate, status, governance and privileges and immunities of IOM, international human rights, international humanitarian law or other legal aspects of IOM operations.
2. Prepare first drafts of legal advice to IOM field offices on requests pertaining to IOM legal status and privileges and immunities, and draft related correspondence.
3. Prepare first drafts and assist in the review of host country agreements, and framework agreements with other UN entities of strategic importance for the Organization.;
4. Assist in the review of various organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines, as well as legal matters related to IOM governing bodies’ sessions.
5. Attend internal and external meetings and conferences relevant to the work of LEGPS as may be required.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public International Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• A first level university degreein Law in combination with four years of relevant professional experience.
   

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• A minimum of two years (four years for first level university degree holders) of relevant professional experience;
• Experience in an intergovernmental organization preferably in the UN system is an advantage; and,
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with public international law, in particular law of international organizations and/or international humanitarian law, is an advantage.  

Skills

• Knowledge of public international law required;
• Knowledge of the law of privileges and immunities an advantage;
• Knowledge of international humanitarian law is an advantage;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail, enabling thorough and comprehensive legal analysis; and,
• Ability to effectively work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the the three languages.

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.

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 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 actions and delegated work.
•  Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, 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.

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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