Legal Officer

Job Identification (Reference Number): 17778
Position Title: Legal Officer (Head, Contract Law Division, Manila Unit) (P)
Duty Station City: Manila
Duty Station Country: Philippines
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: Fixed-term (1 year with possibility of extension)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: One year with possibility of extension
Closing date: 30 December 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states: 
   Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM.

Organizational Context and Scope

The Office of Legal Affairs (LEG) provides legal advice to the Director General, the Deputy Directors General, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and other Departments and Offices of the Organization. The Office provides support to ensure that the activities and operations of the Organization are carried out in accordance with the legal framework governing IOM, including the IOM Constitution, decisions of the governing bodies of IOM, the Unified Staff Regulations and Rules, the Financial Regulations and Rules, IOM internal governance and administrative instruments and international law.

The Office of Legal Affairs is comprised of the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Institutional Law and Programme Support Division (LEGPS), the Contract Law Division (LEGCR), the General and Administrative Law Division (LEGGL), as well as Regional Legal Hubs. The Legal Counsel and Director of the Office is responsible for managing the Office and providing strategic direction for the work of the Office, as well as providing legal advice to Senior Management, reporting directly to the Director General.

The Contract Law Division (LEGCR) is responsible for:  

• Providing legal advice on all types of contracts necessary for IOM's operations and activities, including public and private donor funding agreements, contracts for the purchase of goods and services, project implementation agreements and cooperation agreements with partners and Governments; 
• Reviewing contracts that deviate from the Organization's standard terms and conditions, advising colleagues worldwide on the relevant implications, legal risks and suggested mitigation;
• Reviewing internal administrative instruments and policies related to contracting and otherwise raising contract law issues; 
• Assisting colleagues worldwide to structure contractual arrangements for projects, including cash based initiatives and public-private partnerships; 
• Advising on privileges and immunities matters related to contracts and appropriate legal protections in complex areas such as funding conditions, intellectual property, confidentiality, liability and settlement of disputes; 
• Representing the Organization as needed in contractual negotiations and disputes. Preparing legal advice on issues of breach of contract and contractual termination; and,
• Developing and maintaining repository of contract templates for the Organization. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Contract Law Division, the Legal Officer (Unit Head, Manila Unit, Contract Law Division) will be accountable and responsible for the following activities.