National Legal Officer, Iraq Program, Baghdad, LES7
ICMP, Iraq
Job Description
Organization profile
Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based international organization with headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating and identifying missing persons. As the only international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons, ICMP maintains field programs throughout the world. To learn more about ICMP click here.
Iraq Program
The ICMP is implementing a multi-year project in Iraq to support authorities in their efforts to account for persons missing as a result of armed conflict and violations of human rights.
Vacancy Background
This position will be based in Baghdad or Erbil, with frequent travel throughout Iraq, and will involve travel throughout the country. The successful candidate will be primarily tasked with reviewing and evaluating legislative developments relating to Missing Persons, advising ICMP on and contributing to legislative reform efforts, and providing legal support to the Iraq Program. The position requires advanced legal knowledge, in addition to advanced diplomatic skills and political awareness, as well as a commitment to promoting the rule-of-law and human rights in Iraq.
Under the overall guidance of Head of Legal Unit/Legal Adviser (HQ), and reporting to the Legal Officer (Iraq program), the National Legal Officer main duties will include the following:
- Providing support to legal professionals and legislative initiatives by civil society organizations directly engaged in missing persons issues and assisting them in developing their professional capacities, including, but not limited to the:
- roles/responsibilities of government institutions in the missing persons process in Iraq; and,
- legislation to secure rights of families of the missing in Iraq, i.e. compensation and reparation
- Facilitating and supporting training and capacity-building activities organized by ICMP to ministries and institutions, including the Iraqi judiciary;
- Helping and coordinating with relevant ministries and institutions to implement the provisions of domestic legislation that address the issue of missing persons, e.g. Law on Mass Graves Affairs, Compensation Law No. 20, Yazidi Survivors Law, through roundtables and workshops
- Other related duties, as assigned.
Requirements
- University or equivalent degree in Law
- Minimum of seven years of relevant experience
- Advanced understanding of the institutional structure in Iraq related to missing persons, and the relationships and mandates of various agencies and stakeholders
- Sound knowledge of human rights, as well as Iraqi criminal procedure and public administrative law
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
- Proven ability to work in an international environment
- Proven ability to work remotely
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
- Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English and Arabic is essential, knowledge of Kurdish an advantage.
Benefits
This is a 3 month position with a possibility for extension (depending on budget availability) and competitive base salary at the LES7 level on the ICMP Iraq salary scale, generous paid leave and extensive health insurance benefits for the incumbent and any eligible dependent.
This position is not eligible for expatriate allowances.
Start date: ASAP
Review of applications will begin on 28 September 2021; however, the position will remain open until filled.
ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.
ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice, or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.
ICMP does not request payment during any stage of the selection process.