Senior Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) established to assist in the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for serious crimes under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 201

• The IIIM aims to ensure accountability for these crimes and operates under the auspices of the United Nations, which has a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human rights globally. The organization is committed to upholding international law and justice, and it plays a crucial role in addressing the aftermath of conflicts and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. The IIIM is staffed by a diverse team of legal experts and professionals dedicated to the pursuit of justice and the protection of human rights.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer will provide authoritative legal advice to the Head of the Mechanism on various aspects of accountability for core international crimes. This role involves handling complex legal matters that often require a nuanced understanding of international, criminal, and administrative law. The incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing the review, negotiation, and drafting of significant legal documents, including contracts and memorandums of understanding, which are essential for the Mechanism's operations. Additionally, the Senior Legal Officer will supervise staff in the witness support and protection unit, ensuring that the Mechanism functions effectively and meets its strategic objectives. The position demands a high level of professionalism, legal expertise, and the ability to navigate sensitive legal issues while contributing to the Mechanism's bi-annual reports to the General Assembly.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Provide legal advice on strategic and managerial aspects of accountability for international crimes; 2) Handle complex legal matters involving international, criminal, and administrative law; 3) Advise on and supervise the drafting of contracts and legal instruments related to the Mechanism's operations; 4) Oversee the witness support and protection unit; 5) Manage programmatic and administrative tasks for the Mechanism; 6) Contribute to the Mechanism's reports to the General Assembly; 7) Provide strategic advice to the Head of the Mechanism; 8) Ensure compliance with international legal standards and practices; 9) Engage with external stakeholders, including states and NGOs; 10) Develop innovative legal solutions to meet the Mechanism's needs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of international legal procedures and instruments, particularly in criminal law. They should demonstrate the ability to analyze complex legal issues and develop creative solutions. Strong legal writing skills are essential, as is the ability to prepare various legal documents. Candidates should also exhibit discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive legal matters, along with strong negotiation skills. A good knowledge of the UN system and proven diplomatic skills are crucial for engaging with senior-level representatives from member states. The ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in criminal law, international law, or humanitarian law is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with at least two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background ensures that the candidate has a solid foundation in the legal principles and frameworks relevant to the Mechanism's work.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience, with at least seven years specifically in international criminal law. They should have relevant experience working on large, complex international criminal cases within a multi-disciplinary team environment at the international level. Experience in developing and implementing investigatory or prosecutorial policies for international core crimes is also required. Additionally, managerial experience and familiarity with budget submissions are desirable, as is experience within the UN Common System or similar organizations.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English is required as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of either French or Arabic is desirable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment. The UN Language Framework outlines the minimum required proficiency levels for these languages, and candidates should consult the framework for specific details regarding language skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment. The contract duration and seniority level are not specified in the job posting. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with UN standards, and candidates should be prepared for the responsibilities that come with a senior legal role within an international organization.