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: 25 December 2023
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:
- Internal candidates
- External female candidates:
- Candidate 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); Latvia; 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 of IOM and female candidates.
Context:
The Department 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 Department 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 Department of Legal Affairs is comprised of three divisions, namely the Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division.
The Contract Law Division (LEG-CR) is responsible for:
- Providing legal advice on all types of contracts necessary for IOM’s operations and activities, including public and private donor funding agreements, contracts for the purchase of goods and services, project implementation agreements, and cooperation agreements with partners and Governments;
- Reviewing contracts that deviate from the Organization’s standard terms and conditions, advising colleagues worldwide on the relevant implications, legal risks, and suggested mitigation;
- Reviewing internal administrative instruments and policies related to contracting and otherwise raising contract law issues;
- Assisting colleagues worldwide to structure contractual arrangements for projects, including cash-based initiatives and public-private partnerships;
- Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to contracts and appropriate legal protections in complex areas such as funding conditions, intellectual property, confidentiality, liability, and settlement of disputes;
- Representing the Organization as needed in contractual negotiations and disputes. Preparing legal advice on issues of breach of contract and contractual termination; and
- Developing and maintaining a repository of contract templates for the Organization.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Contract Law Division, the Senior Legal Officer will be accountable and responsible for providing legal advice, recommendations, and services related to the responsibilities of the Contract Law Division.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Advise colleagues in the Office of the Director General and IOM Regional and CountryOffices on the interpretation and implementation of IOM’s privileges and immunities within LEG-CR’s area of responsibility.
- Supervise the review and drafting of contracts in LEG-CR’s area of responsibility, and assist with negotiations of contracts in complex cases.
- Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of contracting procedures, including in relation to delegation of authority in contracting, the procurement manual, implementing partner handbook, and financial grants rules.
- Provide legal advice to senior officials on a wide range of complex and often urgent contractual matters, in order to structure projects worldwide and assist colleagues, including in emergencies.
- Provide recommendations on issues of breach of contract and appropriate actions in contractual disputes including UNCITRAL arbitration and representing the legal position of the Organisation. Advise on settlement negotiations and draft-related correspondence.
- Develop contract templates as necessary in order to protect the Organisation’s legal interests and streamline the work of colleagues worldwide.
- Lead the Division’s efforts in knowledge management so that best practices and developments in contract law are shared with colleagues within and outside the Division.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree in Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
- University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant experience.
Experience
- A minimum of seven years (nine years for bachelor’s degree holders) of relevant professional legal experience;
- At least four years of practicing contract law in the Legal Department of an international organization or private sector entity, or law firm; and,
- Demonstrated experience with contractual negotiations and disputes.
Skills
- Proven legal research and analytical skills;
- Membership of the national bar or equivalent professional legal qualification; and,
- Knowledge of the privileges and immunities of international organizations would be an advantage.
Languages
IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 25 December 2023.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 12.12.2023 to 25.12.2023
No Fees:
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.
Requisition: VN 2023 557 Senior Legal Officer (P4) Geneva, Switzerland (58538737) Released
Posting: Posting NC58538738 (58538738) Released