Position Title: Head, International Migration Law Unit

Job Code: VN 2024 553

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

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: 24 September 2024

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Strategize, plan, and implement IML Unit’s work and activities to contribute to and support the implementation of the Department and Organizational priorities, strategic plans and policies on HQ, regional, and country levels.
2. Provide direct oversight of the activities of the IML Unit, including the development and management of IML project activities, to ensure the successful implementation of the Organization’s technical cooperation, training, and research projects in the field of IML.
3. Provide expert advice, guidance, and support on IML matters in Headquarters and IOM Country and Regional Offices, including in the development and implementation of operations and programs.
4. Provide advice in the development and review of IOM strategies and policies to ensure compliance with international migration law
5. Promote knowledge about international migration law within IOM through training and other activities; develop, and conduct pertinent external IML training activities. Liaise with training institutions / academies at the country level in view of establishing and developing collaborative partnerships and joint programming.
6. Provide expertise and legal advice on migration legislation, and international migration law and related policies to external stakeholders such as governments, national, regional, and international institutions, academia, and civil society.
7. Draft, initiate, or review academic research, including academic papers as required. Review and provide legal comments on research reports, articles, presentations, policy documents, and proposals prepared by governments, international organizations, NGOs, and members of the academic community dealing with IML.
8. Supervise the development of an IML Database.
9. Represent the Organization at expert-level meetings and seminars with governments and other stakeholders and prepare and/or deliver presentations.
10. Liaise and collaborate on IML and related policy and research issues and initiatives with relevant experts in the UN system and in other international and regional organizations, including inter alia the ILO, UNESCO, OHCHR, UNHCR, the EU, the Council of Europe, and the academic community.
11. Develop and supervise the collaboration with UN treaty bodies as relevant and UN initiatives related to respect, fulfillment, and promotion of human rights.
12. Set up structure, develop, and oversee the implementation of the work and priorities of IML Unit and its staff.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, or a related law 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.

Experience

• At least seven years of experience, including at least some at the international level, in legal issues related to migration acquired with a government, an international organization, a university, or an NGO.
• Excellent knowledge of international migration law issues, jurisprudence, and literature.
• Demonstrated track record of providing substantive advice to government bodies, academia, and civil society on IML issues.
• Experience in managing and implementing projects related to migration law.
• Experience in designing and delivering IML trainings.
• Experience in conducting legal research.

Skills

• First-rate legal, research, analytical, and drafting skills; and
• Demonstrated ability to draft publication-ready papers (primarily in English) on various subjects.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (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.