Introduction
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.
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:
- Internal candidates
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
Organizational Context and Scope
The Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division, the Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, as well as Regional Legal Hubs.
The Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (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 transferred in accordance with the IOM data protection legal framework.
Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and direct supervision of the Head of the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division, the Senior Legal Officer is responsible and accountable for providing timely, accurate legal advice and other services on issues relating to the functions of the Office of Legal Affairs in the institutional law and programme support area.
- Serve as a lead legal officer and independently handle a wide range of legal matters in the relevant areas of concentration.
- Provide legal advice on a wide range of substantive and procedural issues relating to public international law, including but not limited to mandate, status, governance and privileges and immunities of IOM, the relationship of IOM with the United Nations, and the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational regulations, rules and policies.
- Undertake legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies and background notes on the interpretation of IOM’s regulatory framework and public international law, as it relates to IOM status, privileges and immunities, mandate and operations.
- Draft, review and provide legal support for the negotiations of host country agreements, and draft related correspondence.
- Provide legal support in connection with the governing bodies’ meetings.
- Review and provide comments on organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure consistency with the IOM regulatory framework and applicable international law.
- Provide support to LEG deliverables under its annual workplan including ad hoc legal reviews and contributions relating to LEG's compliance and governance framework, risk management systems, contract management processes, knowledge, case and document management systems, and training and awareness raising initiatives;
- Supervise and coordinate the work of assigned legal officers.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Education
Master’s degree or equivalent in International Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
Experience
- A minimum of seven (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience providing advice in public international law, of which at least five years within an international organization preferably in the UN system; and,
Skills
- Knowledge of public international law, in particular the institutional law of international organizations, required;
- Knowledge of international humanitarian law and/or international human rights law an advantage;
- Excellent writing skills;
- Excellent reasearch and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail, enabling thorough and comprehensive legal analysis;
- Proven skills in negotiations with governments an advantage;
- Excellent organizational skills; and,
Languages
All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, 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
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 3
Notes
Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security as well as accreditation, any residency or visa requirements. 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, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.
IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.