Legal Officer At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Legal Officer

Job Code: VN 2024 92

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

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

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 28 February 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. Candidates 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.

Context:

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 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 three divisions: the Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division.

Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will be accountable and responsible for assisting in providing legal advice to support humanitarian operations.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Review relevant documents and provide input in pre-contractual negotiations in coordinationwith the Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery, regarding operations and activities to ensure alignment with the legal framework.
2. Prepare legal advice in emergencies, in order to protect IOM’s legal interests.
3. Conduct legal research including on international humanitarian law and access issues in order to inform the conduct of IOM’s humanitarian operations and activities.
4. Review and assist with the development of internal guidance and policies on legal issues arising in emergencies.
5. Provide emergency support capacity on the legal side, as needed, including through desk review and duty travel.
6. Assist with the analysis of privileges and immunities issues in countries where humanitarian operations are underway or may be contemplated.
7. Prepare legal advice on supply chain and international trade issues arising in operations, including cross-border operations and application of sanctions.
8. Support the Senior Legal Officer during any periods of leave, absence, or any periods of unavailability.
9. Identify potential legal challenges in emergency situations and promptly inform the relevant units to ensure early engagement and advice from the Office of Legal Affairs.
10. Conduct thorough analyses of emergency caseloads and internal systems, land formulation, and recommendation of strategic changes aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
11. Performing such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with two years of recent, relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in Law with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Practicing law in the Legal Department (or equivalent) of a United Nations entity, advising on humanitarian or emergency operations and activities;
• The following experience would be an advantage;

•Field experience, working on the ground in a humanitarian crisis;

•Advisory work on access and supply chain issues, international humanitarian law, international trade law, money laundering, and sanctions compliance work;

• Experience in analyzing legal instruments, undertaking legal research, and drafting documents and contracts; and,
• Experience in advising on the privileges and immunities of an international organization.

Skills

• Legal research and drafting skills;
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability; and,
• Ability to handle crisis situations effectively and provide solutions in high-pressure environments.

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) 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 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.

Managerial Competencies – Behavioural Indicators level 2

• 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.