Senior Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan (IIMA) was established by Human Rights Council Resolution 60/

• It operates under the auspices of the United Nations, focusing on the investigation of serious violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and human rights abuses in Afghanistan. The IIMA aims to ensure accountability for these crimes and to support the victims, particularly women and children, by facilitating fair and independent criminal proceedings. The organization is committed to upholding international legal standards and operates with a diverse team of legal experts, investigators, and analysts.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer plays a crucial role within the IIMA, responsible for overseeing the collection and analysis of evidence related to international crimes and serious violations of human rights law in Afghanistan. This position requires a deep understanding of both national and international criminal law, as well as the ability to manage and direct teams effectively. The Senior Legal Officer will coordinate investigations, ensuring that they are conducted in a manner that is victim-centered and adheres to gender and child rights approaches. The role also involves extensive legal research, providing authoritative legal advice, and making strategic recommendations to senior management. The Senior Legal Officer must demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and the ability to work collaboratively in a high-pressure international environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Coordinate and manage teams of investigators, legal officers, and analysts in the collection and analysis of information and evidence related to international crimes and serious violations of international law in Afghanistan.
• Supervise the collection of evidence from diverse sources, ensuring compliance with international standards and internal policies.
• Develop and implement investigation plans that incorporate victim-centered, gender, and child rights approaches.
• Produce analytical reports assessing the sufficiency of evidence for serious international crimes and the criminal responsibility of individuals.
• Review requests for assistance from national, regional, or international authorities and prepare evidentiary materials for sharing.
• Conduct extensive legal research and provide legal advice on complex legal issues.
• Make strategic recommendations to senior management regarding the implementation of the IIMA’s mandate.
• Participate in the development of the IIMA’s governance and management framework.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of national and international criminal law, with extensive experience in applying legal expertise to complex legal issues. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in managing teams and coordinating investigations, as well as superior skills in legal writing and expression. A commitment to professionalism and the ability to work effectively in an international environment are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to gender balance in staffing.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is required, with at least seven years focused on international criminal law cases at either the national or international level. Candidates should have extensive experience working on large and complex criminal cases in a multi-disciplinary team environment. Experience in investigating, prosecuting, or adjudicating criminal cases at the international level is desirable, as is experience in drafting or reviewing indictments. Familiarity with issues related to Afghanistan, including its political and military structures, is also beneficial.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of one of the Afghan languages is desirable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 30 September 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and the extension of the mandate. The role is classified as a temporary assignment, and candidates should be aware that this does not guarantee future employment with the United Nations. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.