Vacancy Notice 1503

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: Counsel  
Reporting To: Assistant Director
Location: Lyon 
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract
Duration (in months): 24.00  
Grade: 4   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 23 November 2025

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.

* This position has a temporary nature and carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension 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 1/3 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 one 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.

Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director Legal Affairs or his/her designee, and within the Legal Support to Operations (LSO)/Legal Support to programmes (LSP), the incumbent coordinates on a daily basis the work on legal aspects of various projects handled by the LSP team. He/she continuously interacts with the projects’ team members to develop the project egal frameworks, conduct legal risk assessments and provide other legal support.

1       Primary duties

Duty 1: Ensure compliance with INTERPOL’s Rules

• Lead legal review of the documents produced at each stage of the processes, including programme plan, roadmap, implementation plan, Terms of Assignments, etc.
• Provide legal support in the development and implementation of projects including the design and configuration of new services, enhanced policing capabilities and tools (e.g. interfaces, migration and creation of databases, applications, compliance and analytical tools, etc.).
• Ensure data exchanges and tools developed by the projects are compliant with INTERPOL's Constitution and Rules, in particular the Rules on the Processing of Data.
• Conduct assessment of legal risks arising from the projects and provide assistance to the projects’ team in addressing these risks timely and efficiently.
• Deliver legal advice on the development of a roadmap for improved capabilities.
• Provide legal support in the analysis of the need to create synergies with other ongoing initiatives.

Duty 2  Cooperation with Member Countries and other entities

• Provide day-to-day legal assistance on a variety of international cooperation activities in criminal matters specific to the projects.
• Provide assistance on legal issues arising from field cooperation with member countries and other entities involved in the projects. 
• Participate in project meetings with the member countries, partners and other stakeholders to facilitate consultations and efficient project implementation.

Duty 3: Legal framework and instruments

• Propose legal instruments that will ensure compliance with the INTERPOL rules and regulations, including documents for approval by the governing organs, standard operating procedures, policies, internal and external guidelines that may be required for the implementation of the projects.
• Prepare as needed cooperation agreements, with relevant public and private entities, and provide support to the negotiation of contracts with service provides, as deemed necessary for the development of the projects.                
• Provide day-to-day legal assistance on a variety of international cooperation activities in criminal matters specific to the projects.
• Provide assistance on legal issues arising from field cooperation with member countries and other entities involved in the projects. 

Duty 4: Perform any other duties as required by the hierarchy.

Education and qualification required:

• A minimum of three to four years of completed education in law.
• A Master’s Degree in Law, preferably with a specialization in data protection or information and communication technology (ICT) law would be a strong asset.

Experience required:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a lawyer at increasing levels of responsibility in an international organization, a public institution or a law firm.
• Experience in the field of data protection and/or ICT law would be an asset.
• Good knowledge of international cooperation in criminal matters and/or law enforcement work would be an asset.

LANGUAGES:

• Professional fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in second official working language of the Organization (French, Arabic, or Spanish) would be an additional asset.

Specific skills AND APTITUDES:

• Maturity, with effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international/ multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Good IT skills and excellent knowledge of oral presentations software, business intelligence and word processing software.

Special abilities and aptitudes required/

• Ability to work persistently and under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Ability to be self-motivated and methodological, to take initiative and work collaboratively in a team or individually.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks.
• Ability to synthesize.