Position Title: Legal Officer, IOM

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 08 June 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.

Context:

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 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 Region, in coordination with the three Divisions of the Department.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Legal Officer in the Regional Legal Hub, the Legal Officer will provide timely and accurate advice, and ensure the functions of the Department are efficiently carried out.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

The Legal Officer will be responsible for the following tasks, under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer in the Regional Legal Hub and in coordination with LEGCR:

1. Provide legal advice on various types of contracts necessary for the development and implementation of IOM projects and supply chain arrangements in the Region, taking into account IOM’s legal status, IOM’s contract templates and IOM’s rules and regulations;
2. Develop new contract templates as needed to meet the legal needs of the Region;
3. Provide timely and accurate legal advice in relation to contract related disputes in the Region;
4. Conduct trainings for IOM personnel on contract law issues and promote LEGCR online resources available to colleagues in the Region, as required;
5. Draft and negotiate legal terms and contracts in order to protect IOM’s legal interests in arrangements with third parties; and,
6. Support the L3 focal point in the Department on contract needs in L3 and other emergencies in the Region.

Additionally, the Legal Officer will also be responsible for the following tasks, under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer in the Regional Legal Hub and in coordination with the three Divisions of the Department:

1. Assist with the roll out of the Unified Staff Rules in the Region, in coordination with LEGGL;
2. Finalizing Note Verbales for urgent privileges and immunities matters involving arrests of staff members, court summons and judicial decisions in the Region;
3. Track requests for legal services arising in the Region by analyzing trends and developing recommendations for the more efficient delivery of legal services; and,
4. Performing such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in 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 the legal department of an intergovernmental organization or the legal office of a Government; and,
• Experience in contract review in an international governmental organization.

Skills

• Excellent writing skills;
• Proven research skills; and,
• Knowledge of public international law, in particular, law of international organizations.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of 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

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 – behavioral 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioral indicators level 2

• 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.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

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. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

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.