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 the International Organization for Migration (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 the Office of the Legal Counsel and three Divisions (the Contracts Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), the Institutional Law, and Programme Support Division (LEGPS)) and the regional legal hubs. The Regional Legal Hubs will address the legal matters that arise in their respective regions, in coordination with the three divisions of the Department.
Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and direct supervision of the Deputy Director, Department of Legal Affairs, the Senior Legal Officer will provide timely and accurate advice and ensure the functions of the Department are efficiently carried out.
Responsibilities
1. Review contracts and agreements in the Region, where additional support is required by LEGCR.
2. Assist and provide guidance with the roll out of the Unified Staff Rules in the Region, in coordination with LEGGL.
3. Support and provide guidance for the resolution of legal issues arising from contractual disputes in the Region with vendors, terminations, non-performance of vendors or delays in performance in coordination with procurement teams, in coordination with LEGCR and LEGPS.
4. Finalize Note Verbales for urgent privileges and immunities matters involving arrests of staff members, court summons and judicial decisions in the region.
5. Address and provide advice on disciplinary matters in the Africa/Asia region that require urgent attention, such as placement of staff members on special leave with pay.
6. Support the L3 focal point in the Department on L3 and other emergencies in the Region.
7. Develop templates and framework agreements for regional partners in the Region, such as regional development banks, in coordination with LEGCR and LEGPS.
8. Organize and prepare trainings and materials to build and strengthen the capacity of the Regional Offices and Country Offices in the Region, particularly in the areas of contracting, data protection, privileges and immunities, and disciplinary matters.
9. Participate and provide guidance in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) of IOM internal instructions as relevant before implementation in the Region.
10. Track and monitor requests for legal services arising in the Region by analyzing trends and developing recommendations for the more efficient delivery of legal services.
11. Conduct outreach activities in the Region to identify more diverse profiles of lawyers for the Department.
12. Performing such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
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 professional experience.
- Specialization in international law, including in human rights and international humanitarian law, an advantage.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Professional legal experience, including legal research, analysis and writing, of which three years includes experience working in the legal department of an intergovernmental organization or the legal office of a Government, with substantial experience in international law.
Skills
- Excellent writing skills;
- Proven research skills; and,
- Knowledge of public international law, in particular, law of international organizations.
Languages
For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Working knowledge of French and/or 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 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 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.
Closing date: 25 February 2025
