23663 | Registry

A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this post as a result of this selection process for fixed-term appointments against both established posts and positions funded by general temporary assistance (GTA).

Organisational Context

The Registry’s Legal Office (LO) combines a commitment to legal excellence with a result-oriented and policy-friendly approach in delivering legal services. The LO operates as a dynamic and multifaceted international law practice in anticipation of and in response to client requirements, in both operational and policy matters.

The LO supports the performance of the legal functions of the Registrar under the Rome Statute, Rules of Procedure and Evidence, Regulations of the Court, Regulations of the Registry, Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules and Regulations and other legal instruments governing the ICC. This concerns both the judicial functioning of the ICC, where the Registry is involved, and legal matters affecting the ICC as an international organization and its legal position as a whole. In performing this dual role, the section is responsible for ensuring the quality, uniformity and consistency of legal positions across the Registry and its Divisions of Judicial Services, External Operations, and Management Services - including the coordination of an internal legal network. The Section provides a broad range of legal services including drafting, negotiating, advising and litigating.

The LO is headed by the Senior Legal Adviser who, together with the Registrar and the three Directors, is a member of the Registry Management Team.

The Legal Adviser reports to the Senior Legal Adviser.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within this framework, and under the supervision of the Senior Legal Adviser, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Deputizes in the absence of the Senior Legal Adviser, both on matters of substance and as Chief of Section including advising the Registrar and other senior officials of the Court, and actively participating in high level meetings and negotiations;
• Serves as the lead and supervisory lawyer in complex legal matters arising under public international law, international criminal law, international administrative law and international institutional law affecting the Registry and the Court more broadly and encompassing, amongst others, advice, research, analysis, drafting, policy, strategy and dispute settlement.
• Advises on matters of liability and international administrative law; Provides legal advice to and serves as (alternate) member, including as Chair, on various committees and boards including the Procurement Review Committee;
• Leads and participates in inter-organ working groups on matters within substantive and managerial fields of responsibility;
• Assists in planning and implementing the LO annual programme of work;
• Assists in managing the day-to-day operations of the Section including budget, reporting, statistics and human resources (recruitment, retention, motivation, development, performance management, conflict prevention and informal resolution);
• Develops the operational framework for delivery of legal services;
• Manages and supervises (associate) legal officers;
• Plays a lead role in establishing and operationalising the Registry legal network including training, mentoring and coaching lawyers, and acting as Additional Reporting Officer as required; and
• Performs other or additional duties as assigned by the Senior Legal Adviser.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced university degree in law with specialisation in international law. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Bar admission or equivalent (e.g. solicitor), with substantial post-qualification experience, is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years (nine years with a first level university degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in a legal environment relevant to the work of the Court, and to the aforementioned duties and responsibilities, including management of legal teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the law applicable to the Court: public international law, international criminal law, international administrative law, international institutional law and the law of contracts. Strongly developed legal skills, including excellent drafting (concise, well-reasoned, persuasive, and legally and factually correct) and research skills;
• Strong analytical skills, and effective communication, negotiation, diplomatic and advocacy skills, combined with interpersonal skills and political sensitivity;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the legal, political, administrative, financial and procedural framework of the Court in both operational and policy matters;
• Highly developed management and project management skills to ensure consistent and timely legal services;
• Effective coordination and delegation of work; ability to motivate staff, promote well-being and engagement, and support professional development; ability to conduct performance appraisal, assess, provide feedback, coach and mentor;
• Knowledge of relevant electronic document and information management systems. Demonstrated experience in managerial and leadership positions relevant to international organisations;
• Proven ability to supervise, provide direction, plan and establish priorities to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity;
• Possesses sound judgment; ability to drive innovation and eliminate barriers to effective and efficient work practices;
• Proven track record of good customer service by providing policy-friendly advice and support services within an international organization and a complex multi-cultural environment. Excellent decision-making skills, with the ability to balance interests and translate the general strategic plans of senior management (including Senior Legal Adviser) into concrete strategies. Operates with professionalism and integrity.

Knowledge of Languages:

Proficiency in either of the working languages of the Court (English and French) and working knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) would be considered an asset.