Vacancy Notice 841

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. 

INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: Senior Counsel - Litigation (Coordinator)   
Reporting To: Director, Institutional Affairs
Location: Lyon, France 
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months): 36.00 
Grade: 3   
Number of posts: 1
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 29 November 2024

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* Subsequent extension to this post will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 4 weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately two to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director Legal Affairs (EDLA), and the direct supervision of the Director of Institutional Affairs,the incumbent is responsible for providing legal advisory services on a variety of issues related to INTERPOL's policing capabilities. The incumbent will also be responsible for providing, as required, legal advisory services to INTERPOL's Member Countries, INTERPOL's organs and dependents of the General Secretariat. He/she informs and advises about matters of significance in his/her area of responsibility and takes appropriate initiative with regard to such matters. Given his/her experience, he/she is an important source of proposals to his/her supervisors.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Manage litigation files, based on general guidance received from or through the EDLA, to include:
  • Identify legal issues and provide recommendations on litigation strategy to the EDLA.
  • Draft memoranda assessing legal risk and litigation strategy recommendations for senior leadership.
  • Liaise with officials from other international organizations, member countries, and civil society on litigation matters.
  • Interface with private counsel on all aspects of files pending before tribunals or courts.
• On litigation matters, gather factual information through interviews and document review, conduct legal and policy analysis and provide recommendations.
• Develop research strategies and conduct in-depth legal research.
• Prepare and/or assist in preparing legal documents for submission to arbitration tribunals, courts, and/or other judicial/quasi-judicial bodies.
• Develop and continuously address strategies for risk mitigation.
• Supervise the work of junior lawyers and interns.
• Perform any other duties as may be required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Certifications

• At least five years' University education (Master's, LLM, LLD, J.D., or Ph.D), preferably with a focus on public international law and/or criminal law.
• A license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of post-qualification legal experience, at least five years of which were focused on handling litigation before courts and/or tribunals, or being responsbile for litigation matters while serving as counsel/attorney advisor within na organization.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (Arabic, French, or Spanish) would be an additional asset.

SPECIFIC SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Self-motivated with the ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.
• Superior analytical skills with the capacity to identify high-level risks and potential liabilities and to precisely articulate the critical issues in a case.
• Superior oral, writing, and research skills, including the ability to produce clear, logical, and concise products that are targeted to and meet the needs of diverse audiences with different perspectives and objectives.
• Excellent advocacy skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated abillity to develop and maintain professional networks.