Senior Legal Officer Job Vacancy in Nairobi, Kenya

Position Title: Senior Legal Officer

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

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, the General and Administrative Law Division, the Institutional Law, and Programme Support Division) 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.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Review contracts and agreements in the Region, where additional support is required byLEGCR;
  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 theDepartment; and,
  12. 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 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.

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

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

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

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.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications HERE via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 08 June 2023 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment

No Fees:

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.

Requisition: VN 2023 208 Senior Legal Officer (P4) Nairobi, Kenya (58143579) Released

Posting: Posting NC58143580 (58143580) Released