Legal Officer (P3) in Genf

IOM - International Organization for Migration

Apply by: 30 Oct 2026

Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance

Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice

Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis

Legal Officer (P3)

Job Identification: 23420

Apply Before: 30/10/ :59 PM

Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)

Initial Contract Duration: One Year

Org Type: Headquarters

Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice

Recruiting Type: Professional

Grade: P-3

Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response?: No

Short Description

IOM, UN Migration Agency in Geneva, Switzerland is looking for a Legal Officer who will work in the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL) and provide legal advice, recommendations and services related to the legal status, constitution, functions, rules and activities of the Organization, particularly involving human resources legal issues.

Introduction

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 ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

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.

First-tier candidates include:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following IOM Member States that are not represented among staff members in the Professional and higher categories: Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Context

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, the regional offices, the country offices, and other departments and offices of the Organization. The Office provides support to ensure that the activities and operations of the Organization are carried out in accordance with the legal framework governing IOM, including the IOM Constitution, decisions of the governing bodies of IOM, the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, the Financial Regulations and Rules, IOM instructions and international law.

The General and Administrative Law Division is responsible for:

• Advising on misconduct cases and the management of disciplinary processes, including the imposition of disciplinary and non-disciplinary measures.
• Reviewing the legality of contested decisions in formal Requests for Review by staff members.
• Representing the Organization in internal justice processes, including the Joint Appeals Review Board and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal.
• Reviewing investigation reports and other findings of the Office of Internal Oversight in relation to IOM personnel.
• Reviewing policies related to management and human resources, including revisions to the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, instructions and other issuances.
• Assisting with the roll-out of the Unified Staff Rules to local staff members in IOM country offices worldwide.
• Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to employment disputes, including on litigation filed in national courts.
• Preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of personnel policies, contractual terms and complex administrative law matters.
• Reviewing contracts, agreements and templates for staff and non-staff personnel (including for internships, consultancies, escorts, loans, secondments, Junior Professional Officers, and settlements with staff members).

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Provide legal advice to IOM offices on privileges and immunities issues arising from, for example, claims filed by staff or individual contractors before national authorities, arrest and detention of IOM personnel, tax exemption, affiliation of staff in the national security system etc.
2. Draft submissions on behalf of the Organization in administrative and tribunal proceedings, including before the Joint Administrative Review Board (JARB) and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).
3. Review Investigation Reports received from the Office of the Internal Oversight (OIO), make a legal assessment as to whether a disciplinary process is warranted, and either initiate a disciplinary process or draft legal advice on other measures to be taken.
4. Draft legal advice to senior officials on matters involving application of international administrative law, including recommendations for amicable settlement of litigation, final decisions by the Director General upon completion of the internal appeal process, disciplinary measures or other administrative measures upon completion of disciplinary processes; further assist in the implementation of these recommendations.
5. Attend internal and external meetings and conferences relevant to LEG-GL.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• At least five years of relevant professional experience is required for candidates holding a Master's degree (seven years for candidates holding a University/ Bachelor's degree), including at least four years in International Administrative Law, with demonstrated experience over those years in: (i) staff misconduct cases, including disciplinary proceedings, and (ii) drafting internal justice system and ILOAT pleadings.

Skills

• Excellent writing and research skills; and,
• Knowledge of public international law, in particular knowledge of the ILOAT jurisprudence and international administrative law, are required.

Languages

• All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).
• For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
• Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.
• Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

• Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.
• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
• This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
• Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
• IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
• IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
• IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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