Vacancy Notice 1518

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 
Reporting To: Director Institutional Affairs/ Deputy General Counsel
Location: Lyon
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract
Duration (in months): 24.00  
Grade: 3   
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening:  Enhanced
Deadline for application: 20 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 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.

The Executive Directorate Legal Affairs (EDLA) assists the Organization in achieving its aims by ensuring that all its activities and programmes are conducted in accordance with INTERPOL’s legal framework. The core mission of EDLA consists in protecting the Organization’s legal interests through the provision of substantive and impartial legal advice to the Secretary General, to the bodies of the Organization and to other Executive Directorates of the General Secretariat, in order to promote and develop the rule of law in all aspects of INTERPOL’s activities. EDLA defends INTERPOL against claims arising from its activities and programmes.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy General Counsel responsible for institutional affairs, the Senior Counsel/Coordinator provides high-level advisory services on institutional and treaty-related matters, contributing to the implementation of the Organization’s strategic legal objectives and coordination of cross-directorate initiatives.

The incumbent is responsible for advancing the implementation and promotion of the General Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the ICPO-INTERPOL (GAPI), bilateral host state agreements for regional bureaus and other duty stations, and temporary agreements for statutory meetings in close coordination with heads of department in other relevant units. The post focuses on facilitating legal assistance to Member States, and ensuring coherence among related legal instruments and partnership agreements.

Given his/her experience, he/she is an important source of proposals to his/her superiors. The incumbent supervises the work of any officials in lower grades under his/her authority, either on a permanent basis or as part of a specific matter or project.

DUTY 1: Treaty Implementation and Legal Advisory

• Provide authoritative legal advice and support to facilitate the implementation of the General Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities and related instruments, including the interpretation of obligations, preparation of legal guidance materials, and coordination of internal and inter-agency processes.
• Monitor and assess progress in treaty implementation by Member States and identify opportunities for further engagement.

DUTY 2: Promotion of the GAPI

• Lead and coordinate efforts to promote the GAPI before legal advisers in Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Cabinet and the Executive Directorate Partnerships and Planning (EDPP) or any other Directorate/Unit as required.
• Prepare and deliver targeted briefings, guidance notes, and outreach materials to strengthen awareness and participation in the initiative.

DUTY 3: Facilitation of Legal Assistance to States

• Facilitate the provision of legal assistance to interested Member States seeking to align domestic frameworks with the treaty’s provisions.
• Coordinate expert input, workshops, and advisory exchanges to support States in fulfilling their treaty-related obligations, drafting resolutions, and advancing through the treaty-adherence process in a coordinated and consistent manner.

DUTY 4: Organization of Signature and Accession Events

• Support the planning and execution of treaty signature and accession ceremonies, ensuring legal accuracy, procedural compliance, and coordination across relevant directorates. Especially, ensure that public international law requirements are fully complied with in coordination with Protocol and the United Nations Treaty Section.
• Liaise with Member States and external partners to facilitate smooth and effective diplomatic engagements. 

DUTY 5: Coordination of Partnership and Implementation (P&I) Agreements

• Enhance coherence across existing Privileges & Immunities agreements, ensuring their alignment with the treaty’s objectives and INTERPOL’s institutional priorities.
• Maintain regular exchanges with relevant directorates to ensure coherent and coordinated policy, activity, and defined roles to maximize organizational efficiency.

DUTY 6: Institutional and normative developments

• Contribute to the drafting and review of amendments to INTERPOL’s Constitution, rules, and procedures where relevant to treaty-related matters.
• Support working groups and statutory meetings addressing institutional reforms or treaty implementation issues.

DUTY 7: Representation

• Represent EDLA in inter-directorate and international meetings related to treaty implementation, partnership coordination, and legal cooperation.
• Perform interim of the Deputy General Counsel when required and receive from the Deputy General Counsel any legal and administrative delegations necessary for that purpose.

DUTY 8: Perform any other duties as required by the hierarchy. 

Education and qualification required:

At least five years of completed education in law.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, preferably with a specialization in public international law or the law of international organizations would be a strong asset.

Experience required:

Minimum of 8 years’ of progressively responsible working experience in a field relevant to the position.

Progressive responsibilities within an international organization demonstrated through promotion or progressive responsibilities demonstrated through promotion within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a Member State, including at the Legal Directorate and in positions abroad.

Proven success in negotiating multilateral agreements, including those with privileges and immunities provisions effectively protecting United Nations staff members.

Proven success in achieving consensus and compromise with high-level diplomatic conferences. 

Demonstrated experience in managing complex international legal projects and processes involving intergovernmental coordination.

Sound experience in the theoretical and practical aspects of international law, including interpretation of constituent instruments, privileges and immunities, international civil service law, and institutional governance.

Proven team leadership and project management skills.

languages:

Professional fluency in English (oral and written).

Knowledge of a second working language of the Organization (Arabic, French and Spanish) would be an asset.

Specific skills:

Maturity and professional judgement, with effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.

Ability to build and maintain professional networks and consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Ability to negotiate and achieve mutually beneficial compromises with officials of ambassador rank or higher during high-pressure meetings.

Proficiency in IT tools, including business intelligence, presentation and word processing software.

Excellent management skills, such as :

• Leadership and strategic direction.
• Managing negotiation teams during high-stakes meetings, effectively delegating roles, and developing creative solutions to complex problems
• Actively supporting career development and team performance
• Decision making under pressure and in politically sensitive contexts.