Legal Officer (P)

Job Identification (Reference Number): 15133
Position Title: Legal Officer
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-2
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: 22 July 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: 

                 1.        Internal candidates

                 2.        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, the 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 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 Internal Oversight 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, Junior Professional Officers, and settlements with staff members).

Under the overall supervision of the Head, General & Administrative Law Division and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Legal Officer will work in the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) and provide legal advice, recommendations and services related to the legal status, constitution, functions, rules and activities of the Organization, particularly involving human resources legal issues.

1. Review investigation reports and referrals from the Office of Internal Oversight 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 the 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.

Education

• Master’s degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in Law in combination with four years of relevant professional experience.
   

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• At least two years (four years for bachelor’s degree holders)  of practicing law, with experience in international administrative law;
• 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 with disputes on employment-related issues;
• Experience in analysing legal instruments, undertaking legal research, preparing comments and preliminary opinions, and drafting legal documents; and,
• 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

For this position, fluency in English and French are required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and 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 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 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.

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.  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 the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link 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: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies