Deputy Director, Office of Legal Affairs

Job Identification (Reference Number)**:18192**
Position Title**:Deputy Director, Office of Legal Affairs**
Duty Station City**:Geneva**
Duty Station Country**:Switzerland**
Grade**:D-1**
Contract Type**:Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)**
Recruiting Type**:Professional**
Vacancy Type**:Vacancy Notice**
Initial duration**:1 year with possibility of extension**
Closing date**:19 January 2026**

**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
- Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu _

**Context**

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, Regional Offices, 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 internal governance and administrative instruments and international law.

The Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Contract Law Division, the General and Administrative Law Division, and the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division, as well as Regional Legal Hubs. The Legal Counsel is responsible for managing the Office and providing strategic direction for the work of the Office, as well as providing legal advice to Senior Management, reporting directly to the Director General.

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Counsel, the Deputy Director Office of Legal Affairs will have supervisory responsibility for lawyers within the Office, as agreed with the Legal Counsel.

Responsibilities: Supports and provides strategic advice to the Legal Counsel in the management of the Office of Legal Affairs and in the development and implementation of a strategic vision for the Office.
Supports and provides strategic advice to the Legal Counsel in managing the human and financial resources for the Office, including preparing budget proposals, and ensuring a best practice approach to capacity building and the professional development of personnel of the Office.
Provides legal advice on specific matters as agreed with the Legal Counsel, assuming direct responsibility therefor.
Provides technical guidance and supervisory oversight to the lawyers within the Office of Legal Affairs working on specific matters, as agreed with the Legal Counsel.
Leads in enhancing the coordination of the Office with the Private Sector Partnership team and providing legal advice enabling the implementation of the IOM’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy.
Leads in the coordination of the review of reports from audit entities and other oversight mechanisms, requiring a response or input from the Office.
Leads the development and delivery of legal training programs aimed at enhancing the legal capabilities of IOM staff.
Leads in the development, coordination, and supervisory oversight of the Regional Legal Hubs.
Promotes transparency and information flow to enhance collaboration among all branches of the Office of the Legal Affairs and leads in the development and implementation of knowledge management systems and processes for the Office to ensure information flow, tracking of incoming matters, and record-keeping.
Leads in the development and implementation of standards, processes and templates, ensuring effective quality control in the Office.
Represents the Office at internal and external meetings and builds relationships and collaborates cross-functionally with senior managers across IOM, as well as with other UN legal offices.
Acts as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Legal Counsel.
- Perform other duties as may be required.

Qualifications: Education

Master’s degree or equivalent or a higher Degree in Law from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Accredit