Position Title: Senior Legal Officer, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL)
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade UG
Type of Appointment: Special short-term ungraded, six months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 23 February 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.
Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.
Context:
The Department of Legal Affairs provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, the regional offices, the 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 General and Administrative Law Division is responsible for:
- Advising on misconduct cases and the management of disciplinary processes, including the imposition of disciplinary and non-disciplinary measures;
- Reviewing the legality of contested decisions in formal Requests for Review by staff members;
- Representing the Organization in internal justice processes, including the Joint Appeals Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal;
- Reviewing investigation reports and other findings of the Office of the Inspector General in relation to IOM staff members;
- Reviewing policies related to management and human resources, including revisions to the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, instructions and other issuances.
- Assisting with the roll-out of the Unified Staff Rules to local staff members in IOM country offices worldwide;
- Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to employment disputes, including on litigation filed in national courts;
- Preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of personnel policies, contractual terms and complex administrative law matters; and
- Reviewing contracts, agreements and templates for staff and non-staff personnel, (including for internships, consultancies, escorts, loans, secondments, standby Personnel, Junior Professional Officers, and settlements with staff members).
The Senior Legal Officer, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) will be under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and direct supervision of the Head, General and Administrative Law Division.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Advise senior officials on matters relating to international administrative law and human resources, including recommendations in disciplinary matters and challenges to administrative decisions.
- Draft submissions on behalf of the Organization in administrative and tribunal proceedings, including before the Joint Administrative Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).
- Assist with the review of organizational policies, guidance and internal communications relating to human resources matters, from a legal perspective, including the Staff Regulations and Rules, instructions and other issuances.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
- Master’s degree 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 may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
- A minimum of seven years (nine years for Master’s degree holders) of professional legal experience, including litigation experience, of which two years include professional legal experience in an intergovernmental organization in the field of international administrative law.
Skills
- Excellent writing and research skills;
- Knowledge of public international law, in particular law of international organizations and knowledge of the jurisprudence of international administrative tribunals.
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 (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).
For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge in French or Spanish language 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, 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.
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.
How to apply
To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 23 February 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 10.02.2023 to 23.02.2023
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: CFA 2023 08 Senior Legal Officer, General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) (UG)
Geneva, Switzerland (57967471) Released
Posting: Posting NC57967472 (57967472) Released
