Head of Chambers’ Staff

Job Posting Organization:
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established to prosecute individuals for international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It operates under the Rome Statute, which was adopted in 1998 and came into force in 2002. The ICC is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, and has a mission to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes that concern the international community. The Court employs a diverse workforce of over 1,000 staff members from various countries, reflecting a wide range of legal systems and cultures. The ICC operates in multiple countries, engaging with national jurisdictions and international organizations to uphold justice and the rule of law.

Job Overview:
The Head of Chambers’ Staff plays a crucial role in the ICC's judicial process by ensuring the effective coordination of legal and administrative work across the Chambers. This position is pivotal in providing high-level legal advice to judges and facilitating communication among the various divisions of the Court. The Head of Chambers’ Staff will oversee the quality of legal support provided to judges and chambers, ensuring that all proceedings are conducted fairly and transparently. This role requires a deep understanding of international criminal law and the ability to manage complex organizational structures. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting staffing reviews, managing recruitment processes, and ensuring that the Chambers are adequately resourced to fulfill their mandates. The position also involves establishing internal working groups to promote collaboration and information sharing among the divisions, as well as conducting training needs analyses to enhance the skills of the Chambers’ staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Chambers’ Staff will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: conducting periodic reviews of staffing levels and making recommendations to the Presidency regarding recruitment needs; overseeing the recruitment and allocation of legal and administrative staff; managing common processes and projects, such as the development of a research platform; establishing internal working groups to address issues relevant to all divisions; conducting training needs analyses and organizing training for staff; providing high-level legal advice to judges and chambers; ensuring the quality of legal support; and undertaking additional tasks as assigned by the Presidency. This role requires strong leadership and managerial skills to effectively coordinate the work of diverse teams and ensure that the Chambers operate efficiently and effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law, with a specialization in international criminal law, international law, or criminal law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience is acceptable. The role demands a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in international criminal law or related fields, with demonstrated experience in judicial institutions at both national and international levels. Candidates should also have managerial and coordination experience in a judicial context, showcasing their ability to lead and manage complex organizational structures.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in law, specifically in areas such as international criminal law, international law, or criminal law. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must have at least two additional years of qualifying experience to meet the educational requirements. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of international legal frameworks and the judicial processes involved in the ICC's operations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in fields related to international criminal law, international law, or criminal law. Candidates with a first-level university degree must have at least twelve years of experience. This experience should include demonstrated involvement in judicial institutions, whether at the national or international level, and should highlight managerial and coordination capabilities within a judicial context. The ability to navigate complex legal environments and manage diverse teams is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, either French or English, is mandatory. Candidates must also possess a working knowledge of the other language. Additionally, knowledge of another official language of the Court, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, will be considered an asset. This linguistic proficiency is vital for effective communication within the Court and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as an established post, with an initial contract duration of two years, subject to a six-month probationary period. The ICC offers a minimum net annual salary of €131,304.00. Candidates appointed to posts at a P-5 grade or in the Director category are subject to a maximum aggregate length of service of seven years, as per the Assembly of States Parties' decision. The selected candidate will undergo a Personnel security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Clearance (PSC) process, which includes verification of personal history and a criminal record check. Applications are encouraged from female candidates, and the ICC aims to achieve fair representation of women and men in all positions. The Court also applies the Inter-Organization Mobility Accord, allowing for the secondment of staff from organizations within the United Nations Common System.