Organisational Context

The Principal Trial Lawyer, under the delegated authority of the Prosecutor, will manage the PSE Unified Team as Team Leader. The Senior Trial Lawyer will be part of this Unified Team.

The Principal Trial Lawyer oversees preliminary examinations, investigations, prosecutions, and when applicable, appeals proceedings; providing strategic advice and guidance to the Prosecutor on the situation and case under her/his responsibility. This will include recommendations on prioritisation and effective use of resources.

The Senior Trial Lawyer is entrusted with the task of being the Deputy Team Leader of the PSE unified team and providing overall guidance on the investigation of cases, as well as jointly leading trial teams before Chambers of the Court.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Principal Trial Lawyer the incumbent will be assigned to a team with the following tasks:

• Exercise leadership and responsibility for the management and coordination of the PSE unified team at the different stages of the proceedings, and the outcomes it achieves, subject to the strategic guidance and direction of the Prosecutor and the Principal Trial Lawyer.
• Provide strategic guidance on the investigation and prosecution of situations or cases assigned to the PSE Unified Team, including defining short- and long-term goals, establishing priorities, identifying milestones to monitor progress, and ensuring goals are ultimately met.
• Provide guidance and, when required, detailed instructions on legal, evidentiary and factual issues.
• Work in close cooperation with the Principal Trial Lawyer, Trial Lawyer, Senior Analyst and International Cooperation Advisor to create the conditions on the team that favour high performance and focus on empowering team members.
• Manage and supervise the work of the members of the Unified Team. Set timely and realistic performance objectives. Organize and prioritize their tasks.
• Act as first co-counsel before Pre-Trial Chamber and Trial Chambers; Together with the Principal Trial Lawyer prepare cases for and oversee the conduct of confirmation hearings, trials, and appeals (in co-operation with, or under the guidance of, the Appeals and Prosecution Legal Coordination Section, as required.); prepare written submissions and appear at court hearings;
• Together with the Principal Trial Lawyer supervise and provide guidance on legal filings and drafting. Supervise the efficient presentation of the Prosecution’s case in court. Set the direction of the case and take responsibility for formulating positions to be taken before the Chambers, in consultation with the Principal Trial Lawyer and the Appeals and Prosecution Legal Coordination Section, where required.
• Provide training, contribute substantively to the implementation of the Prosecution Pillar’s training plan and participate in the legal training of members of the Office of the Prosecutor on oral and written advocacy and courtroom skills;
• Serve on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces as required; and
• Perform any other tasks as instructed by the Principal Trial Lawyer or the Prosecutor.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

An advanced university degree in law, from a recognized university is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of ten years (twelve years with a first level university degree) of relevant progressively responsible professional experience as a prosecutor, investigating magistrate, criminal defence lawyer, or the equivalent, is required, including demonstrated experience in:

a) complex and large-scale criminal cases or cases involving international crimes, and

b) directing case preparation in serious criminal cases.

Leadership and managerial experience is required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Outstanding advocacy skills;
• Excellent drafting and strong analytical skills;
• Excellent managerial skills;
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with flexibility and ability to adjust in a highly dynamic environment
• Strong communication and negotiation skills as well as ability to interact with tact and diplomacy;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to keep strict standards of confidentiality and security;
• Professional and personal integrity.

Knowledge of languages:

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