Job Identification (Reference Number): 13374
Position Title: Legal Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 1 year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 15 May 2025
Introduction
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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration
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:ย
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 1.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Internal candidates
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 2.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.
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 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 Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of three Divisions (the Contract Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS)) and the Regional Legal Hubs.
Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and the direct supervision of the Division Head, Contract Law Division, the Legal Officer (Public Sector Funding) will provide timely and accurate legal advice and facilitate the efficient functioning of the Office.ย
HQ Building Project
1. Deliver comprehensive legal support across all stages of the HQ Building Project until completion in 2029,ย including advising on a range of legal and compliance matters, responding promptly to inquiries, conducting thorough contract reviews, and coordinating closely with the external legal counsel hired under the project.
2. Prepare, draft and participate in negotiating time-critical agreements, including with other UN entities, the Swiss government, Geneva state and communal authorities.ย ย
3. Advise on any legal aspects arising in the selection of the contractor, prepare the contractor template and review anyย requested deviations from IOMโs standard contract terms and conditions.
4. Draft necessary contract amendments, review additional contracts that may arise, including land lease, and provide guidance on any legal issues that impact the quality of the construction and the project timeline.
5. Draft and coordinate the finalization of legal documentation and facilitate the legalities in connection with formal handover of the completed HQ Building to IOM. This may includeย advising on contractual rights and obligations, facilitating the resolution of legal disputes, and advising on legal matters in connection with compliance regarding applicable standards for the building's operational readiness.
6. Liaise with local authorities on any legal points arising including on privileges and immunities and taxation.
7. Support the Legal Counsel in preparation for Steering Committee meetings and any updates to IOM Council.
Other responsibilities
8. Participate in negotiating, draft and provide legal advice on French language contracts taking into account IOMโs legal status, IOMโs contract templates and relevant regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
9. Provide legal support to the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS) within LEG, in particular on privileges and immunities and other institutional law matters, under the supervision of the LEGPS Head, as may be required.
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Education
Masterโs degree in Law, Public International Law, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.Experience
Professional legal experience, including legal research, analysis and writing, of which three years includes experience working in a law firm, the legal department of an intergovernmental organization or the legal office of a Government or private company is required;Experience in contract review in an international governmental organization is required;Experience of Swiss public law is desirable;Experience of construction law is desirable; and,Experience with privileges and immunities of an intergovernmental organization and its staff is desirable.Skills
Excellent writing skills;ย Proven research skills; and,Knowledge of public international law, in particular, law of international organizations.Languages
For this position, fluency inย English and French are required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
IOMโs official languages are English, French and Spanish.ย All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the 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
IOMโs competency framework can be found at thisย linkย Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
Valuesย - 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.ย Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.Core Competenciesย โ behavioural indicators Level 2
ย Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.ย Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.ย Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.ย Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organizationโs priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.ย Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.Notes
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.ย 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.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, 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.
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.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through theย IOM e-Recruitmentย systemย (for internal candidates linkย here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website:ย IOM Careers and Job Vacancies