Legal Officer (General and Administrative Law)

Position Title :Legal Officer (General and Administrative Law)
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 :12 March 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 Contracts Law Division, the
General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support
Division.

• 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).

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the General and Administrative Law Division and
the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer (General Administrative Law)
will be accountable and responsible for assisting in providing legal advice, recommendations
and services related the responsibilities of the General and Administrative Law Division.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Review investigation reports and referrals from the Office of the Inspector-General regarding
allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing, and assist in providing advice to senior management
on disciplinary and administrative processes based on an assessment of the allegations and
investigation results.

2. Address challenges of administrative decisions filed in internal justice processes, including
requests for review, appeals to the Joint Administrative Review Board (JARB), and applications
to ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT); related tasks include preparing legal submissions on
behalf of the Administration, consulting with relevant offices to seek input and information, and
drafting recommendations for decision by senior management.

3. Conduct research on the jurisprudence of the ILOAT on assigned topics and provide detailed
analysis of cases and jurisprudence.

4. Review and assist with the development of issuances, guidance and policies on personnel
matters.

5. Support the roll-out of the Unified Staff Rules to local staff members in IOM Country Offices
worldwide through the analysis of the privileges and immunities situation in the countries and
review of the conditions of service that will be affected by the roll-out.

6. Assist with the preparation of advice on privileges and immunities matters related to
employment disputes, including on litigation filed in national courts, by conducting research into
national jurisprudence and legislation, preparing Note Verbales and other correspondence and
advising Country Offices on management of national litigation.

7. Review agreements relating to the engagement of different categories of personnel and
preparing related templates.

8. Prepare draft responses to inquiries related to the interpretation and application of IOM
Unified Staff Regulations and Rules and IOM Official Instructions.

9. 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 relevant

professional experience; or,

• University degree in Law with four years of relevant experience professional experience.

Experience

• At least two years of practicing law, with experience in international law, including the

institutional law and administrative law of international organizations; and,

• The following experiences would be an advantage:
• Experience in a legal office of an international organization;
• Experience in advising on disciplinary matters and reviewing investigation reports;
• Experience in analysing legal instruments, undertaking legal research, preparing comments

and preliminary opinions, and drafting legal documents;

• Experience in addressing the privileges and immunities of an international organization.

Skills

• Developed research skills and knowledge of the ILOAT or UNAT/UNDT jurisprudence would

be an advantage; and,

• Knowledge of the conditions of service of the United Nations common system would be an

advantage.

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

1 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 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.

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 Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No
late applications will be accepted.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment
system, by 12 March 2024 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

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 28.02.2024 to 12.03.2024

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 2024 122 Legal Officer (General and Administrative Law) (P2) Geneva, Switzerland
(58689136) Released
Posting: Posting NC58689137 (58689137) Released