Senior Legal Officer

Job Identification (Reference Number): 12864
Position Title: Senior Legal Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Nairobi
Duty Station Country: Kenya
Grade: P-4
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: 25 February 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. External female candidates
3. 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 and female candidates.

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 the Office of the Legal Counsel and 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 regions, in coordination with the three divisions of the Department.

Under the overall supervision of the Legal Counsel and direct supervision of the Deputy Director, Department of Legal Affairs, the Senior Legal Officer will provide timely and accurate advice and ensure the functions of the Department are efficiently carried out.

Responsibilities

1. Review contracts and agreements in the Region, where additional support is required by LEGCR.

2. Assist and provide guidance with the roll out of the Unified Staff Rules in the Region, in coordination with LEGGL.

3. Support and provide guidance for the resolution of legal issues arising from contractual disputes in the Region with vendors, terminations, non-performance of vendors or delays in performance in coordination with procurement teams, in coordination with LEGCR and LEGPS.

4. Finalize Note Verbales for urgent privileges and immunities matters involving arrests of staff members, court summons and judicial decisions in the region.

5. Address and provide advice on disciplinary matters in the Africa/Asia region that require urgent attention, such as placement of staff members on special leave with pay.

6. Support the L3 focal point in the Department on L3 and other emergencies in the Region.

7. Develop templates and framework agreements for regional partners in the Region, such as regional development banks, in coordination with LEGCR and LEGPS.

8. Organize and prepare trainings and materials to build and strengthen the capacity of the Regional Offices and Country Offices in the Region, particularly in the areas of contracting, data protection, privileges and immunities, and disciplinary matters.

9. Participate and provide guidance in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) of IOM internal instructions as relevant before implementation in the Region.

10. Track and monitor requests for legal services arising in the Region by analyzing trends and developing recommendations for the more efficient delivery of legal services.

11. Conduct outreach activities in the Region to identify more diverse profiles of lawyers for the Department.

12. Performing such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Specialization in international law, including in human rights and international humanitarian law, an advantage.

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

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, with substantial experience in international law.

Skills

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

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of French and/or 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 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 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.

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.

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, security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

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