Senior Legal Officer (P)

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Position Title: Senior Legal Officer (P)
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: 25 February 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration management and policy development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Legal Officer will play a crucial role in the Department of Legal Affairs, providing legal advice and support to ensure that the activities and operations of IOM are conducted in accordance with the legal framework governing the organization. This includes the IOM Constitution, decisions of the governing bodies, and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law. The Senior Legal Officer will work under the supervision of the Legal Counsel and the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of the Department, ensuring that legal services are delivered efficiently and effectively. The position requires a proactive approach to legal issues, particularly in the Africa/Asia region, and involves collaboration with various departments and regional offices to address legal matters, develop templates and agreements, and conduct training to enhance the legal capacity of staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review contracts and agreements in the Region, providing additional support as required by the Contracts Law Division (LEGCR).
• Assist with the rollout of the Unified Staff Rules in the Region, coordinating with the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL).
• Provide guidance on resolving legal issues arising from contractual disputes, including vendor non-performance and delays, in collaboration with procurement teams.
• Finalize Note Verbales for urgent privileges and immunities matters, such as staff arrests and court summons.
• Address disciplinary matters requiring urgent attention, including staff placements on special leave with pay.
• Support the L3 focal point on emergencies in the Region.
• Develop templates and framework agreements for regional partners, such as development banks.
• Organize training and materials to strengthen the capacity of Regional and Country Offices in areas like contracting and data protection.
• Participate in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for IOM internal instructions. 1
• Track and monitor requests for legal services, analyzing trends and making recommendations for improvement. 1
• Conduct outreach to identify diverse profiles of lawyers for the Department. 1
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Law or a related field from an accredited institution, with seven years of relevant professional experience, or a University degree in the same fields with nine years of relevant experience. Specialization in international law, particularly in human rights and international humanitarian law, is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate excellent writing and research skills, as well as knowledge of public international law, especially concerning international organizations.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Law or a related field is required, with a preference for candidates who have specialized in international law. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. A University degree in Law or a related field is acceptable if accompanied by nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have professional legal experience, including legal research, analysis, and writing. At least three years of this experience must be in the legal department of an intergovernmental organization or a government legal office, with substantial experience in international law.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, both oral and written. A working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered an advantage, as IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for one year, with the possibility of extension. It is classified at the P-4 level, indicating a professional recruiting type. Internationally recruited professional staff are expected to be mobile. The selection process may also be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with the aims of the United Nations and IOM, including discrimination and harassment. Applications must be submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.