Org. Setting and Reporting

Human Rights Council Resolution 60/2 established the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan. This position is located within the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan (IIMA) and is based in Vienna, Austria. The Senior Legal Officer works under the overall direction and the direct supervision of the Head of the IIMA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority the Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Coordinates, manages and directs teams of investigators, legal officers and analysts in the collection and analysis of information and evidence of international crimes and the most serious violations and abuses of international law, including those that may also amount to violations and abuses of international human rights law, committed in Afghanistan, including against women and girls, and to prepare case files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international law standards, in national, regional, or international courts or tribunals; – Supervises the collection of information and evidence from diverse sources in accordance with relevant international standards and internal policies and protocols, and the strategic development and implementation of investigation plans, ensuring the including of victims-centred, gender and child rights approaches within the work of the Mechanism as appropriate; – Supervises the production of analytical reports assessing the collected evidence, including in relation to gender and child rights to ensure the sufficiency of evidence of serious international crimes as well as the criminal conduct and responsibility of individuals for those crimes pursuant to the applicable international criminal law, humanitarian law and human rights law; – Reviews requests for assistance and information from national, regional or international authorities to facilitate their investigations and proceedings, and supervises the preparation of evidentiary and analytical materials for sharing with such authorities; – Performs extensive legal research and analysis, and provides authoritative legal advice on highly complex substantive and procedural questions of law; – Makes recommendations to senior management in his/her area of expertise on strategic and operational issues concerning the implementation of the IIMAs mandate, and participates in the development and implementation of the IIMAs governance and management framework; – Other duties as may be required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge of national and international criminal law (both substantive and procedural) and the functioning of criminal prosecutions at the national and international levels; extensive experience in applying legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of highly complex and novel legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions, or in prosecuting complex criminal cases; original and creative thinking, independent and impartial judgment and discretion in handling major legal issues/cases; capacity to absorb and analyze large volumes of material; superior skills in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare indictments, briefs, opinions and related documents; a high degree of commitment to ensuring the professionalism to the IIMAs work; demonstrated planning, management and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the work of teams and individuals, ensuring the quality and timelines of outputs and good understanding of the dynamics of working in an international environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law is required. A first level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional legal experience, with a minimum of seven years working on international criminal law cases at either the national or international level, is required. Extensive experience in working on large and complex criminal cases in a multi-disciplinary team environment is required. Experience investigating, prosecuting or adjudicating criminal cases at the international level is desirable. Experience drafting or reviewing indictments (or the equivalent) is desirable. Experience working on issues related to Afghanistan , political and military structures and/or demography is desirable. Experience in the areas of sexual and gender-based crimes and justice for children is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Knowledge of one of the Afghan languages is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 30 September 2026, and extension is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the…