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Under the direct supervision of the Head of the EU Compliance – Finance and Contracts Unit and overall supervision of the Head of the EU Compliance and Financial Management Division, and in close coordination with the EU Financial Compliance Unit, the EU Legal Compliance Officer coordinates the provision of support to IOM Offices worldwide in the phase of identification of EU funding mechanisms, as well as throughout the entire cycle of EU contract management. The EU Legal Compliance Officer is responsible for the review and analysis of agreements funded by the European Union (EU) from the EU compliance perspective. The EU Legal Compliance Officer provides assistance to IOM Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices (ROs), and HQ, to strengthen the legal compliance of EU-funded projects implemented by IOM and by directly liaising with the donor when necessary.
Responsibilities
Strategic Engagement
- Liaison and Engagement: As delegated by the Head of EU Compliance – Finance and Contracts Unit and with guidance as needed from LEG in HQ, act as a liaison with EU Institutions and other relevant bodies regarding EU-funded contracts (e.g., negotiation of donor templates, modifications to donor templates, clarifications on the applicable to IOM/UN provisions), as well as other UN Agencies, where relevant, in Brussels and worldwide. This includes active engagement in Group Meetings with the EC and the other UN Agencies.
Technical Support to Global, Regional and Country Offices
- Resource Mobilization and Funding: Provide support and analysis of the provisions of new EU sources of funding, identifying any misalignments between donor requirements and IOM standard rules and practices, advising OLA and other relevant Units at HQ, on possible mitigating measures. Advise the Head of the EU Compliance – Finance and Contracts Unit on problematic contractual terms and conditions when negotiating new EU sources of funding.
- Donor Compliance: Provides legal compliance support, in close coordination with the EU Financial Compliance Unit, to Global Thematic Units (GTUs), Global Programme Support Unit (GPS), ROs, and COs on EU-specific donor provisions to enhance the IOM Offices’ alignment with the EU requirements stemming from the contractual obligations.
- EU Contract Review: Coordinate contract reviews with OLA for EU-funded projects from an EU compliance perspective, acting as secondary reviewer for contracts. Support Country Offices, according with OLA’s processes, with the review of agreements under EU-funded projects when partnering with other UN Agencies, Implementing Partners and Service Providers.
- Coordination: Ensure direct coordination with relevant HQ, Regional Offices and Country Offices for contractual matter related to EU-funded projects on the review of EU-funded contracts, specific EU donor compliance provisions, legal risks and challenges related to EU agreements.
- Capacity Building: In coordination with the Head of the EU Compliance – Finance and Contracts Unit, the Global Thematic Units, the Global Programme Support Unit, the EU Verifications Unit and EU Financial Compliance Units, support the development of and conduct capacity building initiatives and training materials for RO and CO staff on EU contracts and compliance, as well as on the contractual modalities when working with Partners and different actors (UN and non-UN) under EU funded projects.
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Knowledge Management: Contribute to knowledge sharing related to EU contracting and donor requirements towards GOs, ROs and COs either on an ad-hoc basis or by organizing trainings online or on-site. Additionally, the Unit may send updates to COs, ROs, and HQ on EU contractual matters and changes, following the necessary analysis and coordination with HQ.
- Learning: Analyse and revise precedents and “lessons learned”, with an aim to identify and put in place best practices when it comes to the review of contracts and to disseminating contract related information to IOM missions worldwide.
Management
- Leadership: Manage the EU Legal Compliance Unit, including overseeing and managing the delivery of the Unit’s specific responsibilities in their entirety as outlined in the EU Legal Compliance Unit Terms of Reference.
- Participate in meetings, as required.
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field with four years of relevant professional experience; or
- Master’s degree in Law or related field with two years of relevant professional experience is a distinct advantage.
Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.
Experience
- Proven experience on EU legal matters is a requirement;
- Experience in applying institutional and EU legal policies and guidelines;
- Experience in incorporating legal consideration into processes and procedures;
- Experience in liaison with internal and external counterparts is a requirement;
- Experience in contract review in an international organization is a distinct advantage;
- Experience in preparing and delivering trainings is an advantage;
- Experience in reviewing legal documents, papers or speeches, an advantage;
- Experience in working in various contexts, and in leading and managing diverse teams, programmes, and projects;
- Experience in capacity building and development; and,
- Experience working in an international organization, United Nations, or an EU Institution, Body, or Agency.
Skills
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Good technical knowledge of legal EU regulatory requirements.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of EU contract requirements.
- Develops/follow internal control procedures to prevent fraud and mismanagement.
- Proven agent of change or willingness to foster a culture of learning and knowledge management.
Languages
- For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
How to Apply:
