Organisational Context

The Registry Legal Office (RLO) combines a commitment to legal excellence with a result-oriented and policy-friendly approach in delivering legal services. The RLO 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 RLO 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 organisation 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 Relations and Field Coordination, and Management Services – incl. the coordination of an internal legal network. The Section provides a broad range of legal services incl. drafting, negotiating, advising and litigating.

The RLO is headed by the Senior Legal Adviser. The Associate Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Adviser or Legal Adviser.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis;
• Contributes to the preparation and drafting of (complex) legal documents including legal submissions, correspondence, memoranda, legal opinions and briefs;
• Contributes to providing advice to client sections and assists in providing advice to the Registrar and other senior officials of the Court;
• Assists in negotiating contracts, agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with a variety of parties within the Court;
• Preparing summaries and updates of legal and factual issues;
• Monitors judicial proceedings, provides advice on decisions and prepares summaries and digests for various purposes of the Registry;
• Provides support in developing the operational framework for delivery of legal services including establishing and managing work flows, work processes, SOPs, systems and databases and central repositories of legal opinions and research, agreements, contracts and MoUs;
• Supports the Senior Legal Adviser and/or the Legal Adviser in the efficient operation of the Registry Legal Network; and
• Performs other or additional duties as assigned by the Senior Legal Adviser or the 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 post-qualification experience, would be considered an asset.

Work Experience:

A minimum of four years (two years with an advanced 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of the law governing the Court: public international law, international institutional law, and international criminal law, including the case law of the Court and other international criminal tribunals.
• Strongly developed legal skills, including excellent drafting (concise, well-reasoned, persuasive, and legally and factually accurate) and research skills.
• Good organisation skills to ensure consistent and timely legal advice.
• Strong analytical skills, and effective communication, negotiation 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.
• Knowledge of relevant (electronic) document and information management systems.
• Possesses sound judgment; ability to contribute to innovation and eliminate barriers to effective and efficient work practices.
• Proven track record of good customer service within an international organization and a complex multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent decision-making skills.
• Operates with professionalism and integrity.

Knowledge of Languages:

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

ICC Leadership Competencies
Purpose
Collaboration
People
Results

ICC Core Competencies
Dedication to the mission and values
Professionalism
Teamwork
Learning and developing
Handling uncertain situations
Interaction
Realising objectives

Learn more about ICC leadership and core competencies.

General Information
- In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC is committed to achieving geographical representation and gender equality within its staff as well as representation of the principal legal systems of the world (legal positions). Nationals from the list of non-represented and under-represented States are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, applications from women are strongly encouraged for senior positions at the Professional (P) and Director (D) levels. Posts shall be filled preferably by a national of a State Party to the ICC Statute, or of a State which has signed and is engaged in the ratification process or which is engaged in the accession process, but nationals from non-state parties may also be considered, as appropriate.

- The selected candidate will be subject to a Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) process in accordance with ICC policy. The PSC process will include but will not be limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check.
- Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ICC E-Recruitment web-site.
- The Court reserves the right not to make any appointment to the vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.