Senior Legal Officer At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Senior Legal Officer

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: 13 October 2022

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; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; 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 (LEG) provides advice and input to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, the Regional Offices, Country Offices and Departments and Offices of the Organization on all legal issues facing the Organization and their related policy implications. The objective of LEG is to ensure that the functioning of the Organization is within its mandate and in accordance with international law. LEG provides legal support to all activities and programmes of the Organization, thereby contributing to the achievement of all aspects of the IOM Strategy and Vision.

Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and Director, Department of Legal Affairs (LEG) and direct supervision of the Deputy Director, Department of Legal Affairs, the Senior Legal Officer shall provide timely, accurate advice, and ensure the functions of the Department are efficiently carried out.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Data Protection and Governance

1. Provide advice on compliance with IOM’s Data Protection Principles, including handling of complaints, migration data strategy, governance, control, policy development and effective use of migration data.
2. Coordinate the revision and improvement of the IOM Data Protection Principles and Manualwhile bringing them in line with developments in data protection principles, including to extend the data protection regime to all persons towards which IOM has data protection obligations, inter alia staff members and delegates.
3. Provide advice to IOM Offices in conducting data mappings, defining the flows of personal data, and ensuring compliance with IOM’s Data Protection Principles.
4. Coordinate data protection risk-benefit and impact assessments.
5. Review and strengthen relevant contractual clauses and/or data-sharing agreements.
6. Coordinate within the UN System on data protection issues and represent IOM in data protection-related meetings.

Support and advice to IOM’s programmes and operations

1. Provide legal advice on organizational policies and programmatic aspects in areas of IOM’s work, i.e. migration governance, peace and security, and humanitarian action in order to ensure compliance with IOM’s legal framework, including international law and its several branches, such as international migration law, human rights law and international humanitarian law.
2. Prepare studies and background notes on legal aspects of IOM operations.
3. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• A first level university degree in Law in combination with nine years of qualifying work experience.
• Specialization in international law, including in human rights and international humanitarian law, an advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional legal experience (nine years for Bachelors or equivalent holders);
• Demonstrated experience in personal data protection policy, legislation and practices;
• At least three years’ professional legal experience in an international organization, in a government or an international non-governmental organization, with substantial experience in international law and international administrative law.

Skills

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

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or 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 three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.

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 action 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 potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

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 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.