Legal Officer

Vacancy Notice 1167

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: Legal Officer    
Reporting To: Counsel/Coordinator
Location: Lyon 
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract 
Duration (in months): 36.00  *
Grade: 5   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening:  Basic
Deadline for application: 18 May 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.

* 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 2/3 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.

The Legal Officer will assist in the provision of legal advice relating to the review of notices and diffusions as part of the Notices and Diffusions Task Force (NDTF). The incumbent will report to Counsel/Coordinator within the NDTF. He/she will conduct legal research and draft legal documents in relation to the review and publication of notices and diffusions.

Duty 1: Legal research

• Provides legal research in relation to various aspects concerning the review and publication of notices and diffusions. This may include research in open sources, legal search engines, courts’ decisions, etc.

Duty 2: Drafting of legal documents

• Drafts and reviews legal documents related to the review and publication of notices and diffusions.  This may include: Drafting and reviewing legal memoranda, internal legal guidelines, repositories of practice, SOPs, policy papers, reports and resolutions.

Duty 3: Engagement with member countries

• Drafts and reviews communications with member countries in relation to notices and diffusions.
• Prepares background materials for meetings with representatives of member countries (NCBs, judicial authorities, etc.).
• Participates in meetings with member countries as requested by hierarchy.

Duty 4: Legal training

• Prepares materials for training in relation to the review and publication of notices and diffusions (powerpoint presentations, e-learning modules, etc.).
• Provides legal training in relation to the review and publication of notices and diffusions to a variety of actors, INTERPOL officials, NCBs staff and law-enforcement officials.

Duty 5: Meetings, conferences and engagements with other organizations

• Contributes to and participates in the preparations of internal meeting as well as meetings with member countries (e.g. working groups). This includes preparation of background documents, draft agenda and additional background materials for the meetings, preparing and delivering presentations, drafting conclusions and minutes of the meetings, etc. 
• Represents the Organization in international conferences.
• Participates in joint initiatives conducted with other organizations.

Duty 6: Other

• Performs any other duties as may be required by his/her hierarchy.

Training/Education required

• Degree in Law, preferably in international law. An advanced degree in one of the following domains would be an asset:
  • Public international law
  • International criminal law.

Experience required

• At least three years of working experience as a lawyer, preferably in the field of international law
• Sound knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of international law, preferably in relation to one or more of the following fields:
  • International cooperation in criminal matters
  • International criminal law; and
  • International human rights law

Languages

• Proficiency in English
• Knowledge of a second official language of the Organization would be an asset.

Specific skills and aptitudes required

• Maturity, with effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international/ multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Good listening skills
• Excellent drafting skills
• Good computer skills. As a minimum proficiency in standard office word-processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.