Position description
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Legal Advisor/Counsel and under the overall supervision of the Principal Counsel, the Legal Officer will be primarily responsible for the following duties:
- Providing legal research and advice on international criminal law, international humanitarian law, comparative criminal law and procedure, and evidence to assist defence teams in accordance with OPCD’s mandate under Regulation 77(4)(b) and reviews and guides research conducted by other OPCD staff or interns;
- Formulating and advancing legal submissions when the Office is engaged in direct litigation, usually to represent and protect the general interests of the defence at the Situation-level, in respect of specific defence issues or on behalf of an unrepresented suspect under Regulation 77(4)(a), (c), and (d). This could entail conducting background legal and factual research, drafting legal submissions, supervising drafting by other OPCD staff, and appearing in court as required;
- Advising the Legal Advisor/Counsel on legal and policy issues affecting the Office and the defence, and formulating policy comments and documents to advance the interests of the Office and/or the defence in accordance with the mandate in Regulation 77(4);
- Serving as a focal point on dedicated issues;
- Assuming responsibility for the Office during any temporary absence of the Principal Counsel and Counsel; assisting with general administrative duties as required; and representing the Office at internal and external meetings and seminars.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Advanced university degree in law from a recognised university, preferably with a specialization in criminal law, humanitarian or international Criminal Law is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
- At least 5 years (7 with a first-level university degree) of relevant professional experience in the field of International Law/Criminal Law/human rights law is required;
- Practical experience working in complex litigation, preferably international criminal cases;
- Having the experience required to meet the requirements for admission to the ICC List of Counsel would be considered an asset.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of fair trial rights;
- Excellent research, drafting, and advocacy skills;
- Excellent organisation skills, and ability to supervise other staff within the Office;
- Good computer skills. Familiarity with E-Court environment and litigation software would be desirable;
- Demonstrated ability to display initiative, prioritise and complete tasks in an efficient manner under short deadlines;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
Knowledge of Languages
- Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, English or French is required. Proficiency or working knowledge of the other is strongly desired. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian) would be considered as an asset.
ICC Core Competencies
Dedication to the mission and values
- Acts consistently in accordance with the mission and values of the Organisation;
- Maintains confidentiality, acts with integrity and shows respect for diversity;
- Shows commitment to the organisation;
- Presents a positive image of the organisation during external discussions.
Professionalism
- Applies professional and technical expertise;
- Keeps abreast of organisational issues;
- Produces workable solutions to a range of problems.
Teamwork
- Listens, consults and communicates proactively;
- Handles disagreements with tact and diplomacy;
- Recognises and rewards the contribution of others.
Learning and developing
- Identifies development strategies needed to achieve work and career goals and makes use of developmental or training opportunities;
- Learns from successes and failures;
- Seeks feedback and gives feedback to others to increase organisational effectiveness;
- Seeks opportunities for improvement of work;
- Has an open mind and contributes to innovation.
Handling uncertain situations
- Adapts to changing circumstances;
- Deals with ambiguity, making positive use of the opportunities it presents;
- Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances;
- Manages time effectively.
Interaction
- Expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly;
- Handles contacts with diplomacy and tact;
- Communicates in a transparent and open way with internal and external contacts while complying with confidentiality requirements.
Realising objectives
- Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm;
- Keeps to agreements with others;
- Focuses on client needs;
- Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people;
- Monitors and maintains quality and productivity.
Application instructions
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