Legal Officer – International Criminal Investigations (Syria)

About the role

This Legal Officer position is based in Geneva within the Investigation and Analysis Section (IAS) of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria since March 2011. The IAS gathers evidence and produces analytical products shared with competent jurisdictions. The officer works under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer (IAS) in a multi-disciplinary team of legal officers, analysts and investigators.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare strategic recommendations on the IIIM's structural investigation, lines of inquiry, case files, evidence modules and other analytical products.
• Draft instructions, manuals and procedures for reviewing evidence on serious breaches of international humanitarian and criminal law, and supervise junior analytical staff, junior lawyers and legal interns.
• Conduct legal research and evidence review, prepare briefs and analytical products for case files and evidence modules.
• Handle substantive and procedural legal issues in international and domestic criminal law, and manage relationships with external consultants retained as subject-matter experts.
• Participate in investigative activities, including evidence identification, preservation and witness and suspect interviews with investigative staff.
• Take part in IIIM working groups, conferences and workshops, and deliver legal capacity building to Syrian transitional justice authorities.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law or a related field; a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead.
• At least five years of progressively responsible legal experience, including legal analysis, research and writing on core international crimes at domestic or international level.
• Desirable: experience as a prosecutor at an international court or tribunal or as a national prosecutor on core international crimes, experience using Relativity for evidence review, and experience on international criminal accountability in the Syrian context.
• English at UN Level III reading, writing and listening, and speaking at UN Level II; French or Arabic at UN Level II is desirable.
• Applicants must have an impeccable record of integrity and ethical standards; the role involves exposure to distressing material.

Required skills

• Knowledge of legal principles, civil and/or common law systems and legal research sources, including electronic ones.
• Ability to draft legal papers, briefs and analytical products under pressure.
• Professionalism, clear communication and teamwork.

The appointment is initially for one year, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of the post, funds and budget. Evaluation may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview. The UN does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.