Grade: P3
Vacancy no.: RBC/P/JUR/2025/1
Publication date: 31 January 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 3 March 2025
Job ID: 12706
Department: JUR
Organization Unit: JUR
Location: Geneva
Contract type: Fixed Term
The following are eligible to apply:
Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).
Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States
In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.
Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.
The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, external candidates applying for the professional category vacancies and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed, they will be expected to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.
The position is located in the Office of the Legal Adviser (JUR). JUR is responsible for providing legal advice and other legal services to the Organization on all matters implicating the legal interest of the Organization, including legal opinions concerning the Constitution, membership, rules and activities of the ILO. It is responsible for furthering and defending the legal interests of the Organization. All officials in the performance of their functions are expected to seek legal advice and any necessary legal services on all such matters.
The position contributes to the effective and efficient discharge of JUR’s responsibilities in several key areas, including the protection of privileges and immunities; judicial review of staff complaints; internal governance; servicing of the International Labour Conference and Governing Body meetings, regional meetings, technical meetings and meetings of experts; interpretation and supervision of international labour standards; relations with host State; and the legal representation of the Organization in private disputes.
The position reports to the Legal Adviser.
1. Contribute to the provision of legal services to ILO governance organs (International Labour Conference and its General Affairs Committee, Credentials Committee or Drafting Committee as well as the Governing Body) and ILO meetings (e.g. Special Tripartite Committee established under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended; Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group, technical meetings, meetings of experts); prepare draft documents, research notes and legal opinions on questions of substance or concerning the application of the standing orders.
2. Undertake legal research and preparing draft written submissions (replies, surrejoinders) in the context of administrative complaints filed with the ILO Administrative Tribunal; provide legal advice relating to internal administration matters such as the interpretation, application and amendment of the Staff Regulations, health and pension fund regulations and other internal regulations, and the development and approval of internal rules and regulations.
3. Assist with the deposit and registration of ratifications of international labour Conventions and prepare certified statements to the UN Secretary-General. Prepare draft replies to requests for interpretation of ILO rules and regulations and international labour Conventions. Prepare draft questionnaires/reports in relation to proposed abrogation and/or withdrawal of international labour standards.
4. Prepare draft Office replies in relation to the status and privileges and immunities of the ILO and its officials and related legal issues.
5. Review draft agreements concerning operational activities of the ILO and its relations with donors, beneficiaries and suppliers, as well as legal documents regarding real property and procurement issues.
6. Perform other relevant duties, as required.
These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:
1. Examine reports by governments and comments by employers' and workers' organizations on ratified and unratified Conventions and Recommendations. Examine and analyse complaints. Perform comparative analyses of the legislation and practice of the different States. Draft comments for high-level committees and/or groups of experts. Provide preliminary interpretations as requested by constituents.
2. Draft notes, reports and opinions concerning legal questions or labour standards, for consideration by governments, the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference.
3. Undertake research and studies and prepare opinions on questions relating to international law, labour standards or labour relations. Prepare comments on draft labour legislation.
4. Participate as a member of the secretariat of various committees dealing with legal issues or labour standards, including preparation of documents, drafting records of meetings, drafting reports and assist in resolving procedural and legal questions
5. Draft replies to requests from constituents or clients on questions relating to international labour standards or other legal questions. Prepare briefs for judicial bodies.
6. Provide technical support to special tripartite committees established by the Governing Body or commissions of inquiry to examined alleged infringements of ratified Conventions.
7. Attend seminars and meetings. Give presentations on contents of labour standards and on the procedures and functioning of the supervisory system. Participate in discussions on the ILO’s position on various legal issues. Assist in the planning and implementation of technical advisory or promotional activities.
8. Prepare summaries of judgements and national labour law cases.
Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law with a specialization in public international law (e.g. law of international institutions, international human rights law, international administrative law).
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in law with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
At least five years’ experience in the field of public international law. Relevant experience in an international organization would be an advantage.
Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the other. Working knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.
In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
Technical
Ability to analyse legal issues, draft clearly and concisely, to prepare studies and comments, and take initiatives to keep abreast of new developments in public international law and administrative law. Good understanding of the legal and institutional specificities of the ILO’s tripartite structure. Ability to apply the principles of law to the analysis of a variety of subject matters requiring interrelationships between the subject under review and existing legislation and practice; prepare responses to enquiries clearly and concisely; excellent research and writing skills and good communication skills to explain the Office’s position. Ability to explain legal concepts to non-lawyers and to work with them to find solutions to legal problems. Good understanding of the context in which the ILO provides services to its Member States in the regions. Ability to use standard software.
Behavioural
Capacity to self-organize, prioritize assignments and work under time-pressure. Absolute discretion in dealing with confidential matters. Flexibility and capacity to work in a team. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Conditions of employment
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Important Information
Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.
The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.