Position Title : Unit Head, Panama Unit (LEGCR-PU) Contract Division
Duty Station : Panama City, Panama
Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3
Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 19 July 2020
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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
Internal candidates
Candidates from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Djibouti; Fiji; Gabon; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.
Context:
The Office of Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal support and advice to all parts of IOM
(Headquarters, Administrative Centres, Regional Offices and Country Offices). The Legal Counsel also provides legal support to the Policy Making Bodies on constitutional matters, mandate and procedures. LEG consists of three divisions.
Within LEG, the Contract Division (LEGCR), through its Units in Manila and Panama, reviews and approves the conclusion of contracts and similar agreements for IOM as provided for in IN/99 Rev.2. Such contracts and agreements include Memorandum of Understanding, local cooperation agreements with States, IGOs, NGOs and other partners, declaration and consent forms for IOM beneficiaries.
In addition, LEGCR deals with various legal issues concerning contractual relations, including contract negotiation, advise on intellectual property rights, contractor’s non- performance, termination, contractual disputes, arbitration, misconduct by contractor’s employees, and complaints made by a contractor and its employees, as relevant.
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Legal Counsel and the direct supervision of the Division Head, Contract Division (LEGCR), the Unit Head, Panama Unit (LEGCR-PU) will have the responsibilities and accountabilities as below.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Oversee the day-to-day management and administration of the work of LEGCR-PU and guide and supervise the work of the legal officers within the Unit.
Draft, review and approve various types of contracts and agreements necessary for the development and implementation of IOM projects in a timely manner with minimal supervision, taking into account of IOM’s legal status, IOM’s contract templates and the organizational policies, regulations and rules.
Assist the Division Head in drafting, revising and updating IOM contract templates, including identifying the needs of developing new templates and revising existing templates.
Provide timely and pertinent legal advice to contract related (potential) disputes and other problems, including proposing the best actions in response to court summons or invitation to conciliation or arbitration.
Review and provide comments to various organizational policies related to the work of LEGCR, such as procurement policy.
Conduct trainings on concluding contracts and agreements for IOM staff for the French/Spanish speaking regions.
Participating in negotiating legal terms of contracts and agreements and undertaking consultations with internal and external entities, as required.
Work on a variety of in-house legal issues concerning contractual matters, including drafting or reviewing research papers.
Follow up on meetings and international conferences (mainly in the French/Spanish speaking regions) relevant to the Office of Legal Affairs regarding issues related to the work of LEGCR.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Master’s degree in Law, Public International Law or a related legal field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in contract review in an international governmental organization (IGO);
• Proven research skills; and
• Practical experience in one or more of international, administrative, civil or commercial law an advantage.
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French is an advantage.
Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.
1
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
This vacancy is archived.