Job Identification (Reference Number): 13388
Position Title: Division Head, Institutional Law and Programme Support Division
Duty Station City: Geneva
Duty Station Country: Switzerland
Grade: P-5
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: 10 April 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, Grenada, 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 Office of Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, 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 internal governance and administrative instruments and international law.

The Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS), the Contract Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), as well as Regional Legal Hubs. The Legal Counsel and Director of the Office is responsible for managing the Office and providing strategic direction for the work of the Office, as well as providing legal advice to Senior Management, reporting directly to the Director General.

LEGPS provides legal advice on the structure, mandate and functions of the Organization, based on the IOM’s Constitution, other basic texts, such as the Rules of Procedure of the IOM Council and Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance, relevant Council decisions and international law. The Division deals with core questions of IOM’s legal status and privileges and immunities; provides advice to ensure a sound legal basis for the Organization’s legal relationship with States, the United Nations and other international organizations; supports the work of the IOM governing bodies; advises on the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational policies; and provides advice to field offices and Headquarters to ensure that personal data are collected, used, transferred or otherwise processed in accordance with the IOM data protection legal framework.

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel the Head of the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division will be responsible of the following:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Direct, manage, and oversee the work of the Division.
2. Provide authoritative legal advice, including to senior officials, on a wide range of substantive and procedural issues relating to public international law, including but not limited to mandate, status, governance and privileges and immunities of IOM, the relationship of IOM with states, the United Nations and other international organizations, and the legal aspects of IOM operations and organizational policies. The advice should reflect independent judgment, thorough knowledge of the subject matter, the relevant governing law, and the ability to adequately balance legal, operational, and political considerations.
3. Draft, review, or supervise the review and drafting of organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and guidance relating to IOM governance or operations.
4. Negotiate, draft, review, or supervise the drafting, review, and negotiation of host country agreements and framework agreements with other UN entities of strategic importance for the Organization.
5. Represent the Organization in negotiations with member states, Government authorities, and other strategic counterparts on issues within the scope of activities of the Division.
6. Lead and oversee the work of LEG as the data protection focal point of the Organization, and ensure organizational policies remain current with international standards, and provide the Organization with authoritative legal advice.
7. Attend the sessions of the governing bodies of the Organization, support the Legal Counsel to provide legal advice to the governing bodies as regards the Constitution, the rules and procedures of the governing bodies, including credentials, and any other legal matters, and in the absence of the Legal Counsel provide advice to the governing bodies.
8. Represent the Office of Legal Affairs in working groups, task forces, and committees addressing matters within the Division’s area of responsibility.
9. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Public International Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with ten years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in above fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience:

• A minimum of ten years (or twelve years in the absence of an advanced university degree) of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in law, of which at least five years within the legal office of an intergovernmental organization (preferably in the UN system), is required;
• Professional legal experience advising on questions of international law related to the status, privileges and immunities, mandate, governance, and operations of international organizations is required;
• Professional legal experience advising on questions of international human rights or humanitarian law is desirable; and,
• Professional legal experience in drafting and negotiating international agreements is desirable.

Skills:

• Knowledge of public international law, in particular the institutional law of international organizations, required;
• Knowledge of international humanitarian law is an advantage;
• Knowledge of international human rights law is an advantage;
• Good analytical skills, with ability to conduct comprehensive legal analysis on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature;
• Excellent legal writing skills;
• Proven negotiation skills an advantage;
• Excellent organizational skills; and
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent cases.

Languages:

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

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.

Required Competencies:

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

• 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.

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