Senior Legal Officer

at  International Organization for Migration

Position Title : Senior Legal Officer
Duty Station : Panama City, Panama
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 : 12 November 2024
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.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and
inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female
candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all
IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered
before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
1. Internal candidates
2. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands;
Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic
Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated
States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia;
Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas;
Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and
female candidates.

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 an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of seven or nine years (depending on the education qualification, see above) of
  progressively responsible and relevant professional experience providing advice in public
  international law, of which at least three years working in the legal office of an intergovernmental
  organization.

SKILLS

• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of public international law, in particular law of international organizations.
• Knowledge of the law of privileges and immunities an advantage.
• Ability to effectively work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

1. Provide legal advice on issues arising in the Region pertaining to IOM legal status and
   privileges and immunities, supervise the review and drafting of host country agreements, assist
   with negotiations as needed, and prepare related correspondence, in coordination with LEGPS
   or LEGGL as appropriate.
2. Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of contracting procedures, review
   other contracts and agreements in the Region, and provide legal advice to senior officials in the
   Region on a range of complex and often urgent contractual matters in coordination with LEGCR.
3. Develop templates and framework agreements for partners in the Region, such as regional
   development banks, in coordination with LEGCR and LEGPS.
4. Assist with the introduction and implementation of the Unified Staff Rules in the Region, in
   coordination with LEGGL.
5. Provide legal advice and recommendations on issues of breach of contract and appropriate
   actions for the resolution of legal issues arising from disputes in the Region, in coordination with
   the relevant LEG Division.
6. Provide legal advice on conduct related matters in the Region that require urgent attention, in
   coordination with LEGGL.
7. Address requests for legal advice pertaining to emergencies in the Region, in coordination
   with the emergency focal point in the Office.
8. Develop and organize trainings and materials to build and strengthen the capacity of the
   Regional Office and Country Offices in the Region, particularly in the areas of contracting, data
   protection, privileges and immunities.
9. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of IOM internal
   instructions in the Region.
10. Develop and conduct outreach activities in the Region to identify more diverse profiles of
    lawyers for the Office.
11. Provide expert support to LEG deliverables under its annual workplan including ad hoc
    reviews of LEG’s compliance and governance framework, risk management systems, contract
    management processes, knowledge, case and document management systems, and training
    and awareness raising initiatives.
12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.