Internal Litigation Counsel

The Internal Litigation Counsel provides legal services related to employment law within INTERPOL, including defending the Organization in staff litigation procedures. The role involves advising on employment and international public administrative law, managing litigation cases, and supervising paralegal work.

Responsibilities

• Defend the Organization in employment litigation or pre-litigation disputes, including dispute resolution procedures and settlement negotiation.
• Conduct legal and factual research to assess and advise on legal risks, strategies, and recommended course of action.
• Ensure updates and appropriate distribution of information on all legal and relevant developments of litigation files and keep hierarchy informed.
• Advise the Human Resources Directorate on claims, grievances and requests for reviews.
• Manage litigation and provide strategic advice and assessment on cases.
• Draft memoranda assessing legal risks and litigation strategy recommendations for the Deputy General Counsel and senior leadership.
• Draft case-related memoranda and negotiate separation agreements.
• Prepare submissions in internal appeals before the Joint Appeals Committees and in disputes before the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILOAT).
• Work with and oversee outside counsel as necessary or appropriate.
• Develop, implement and improve internal processes and procedures for addressing employment litigation and pre-litigation disputes.
• Work with cross-functional teams on institutional matters, human resources, policing capabilities, external litigation and other legal issues.
• Serve an organization-wide advisory role on employment law and international public administrative law related issues.
• Prepare notes and research legal issues relevant to the Organization, particularly international civil service law and relevant case law.
• Handle requests related to the application, interpretation and revision of the Staff Manual.
• Draft or review new legal documents such as memoranda, policy, SOP, Staff instruction, guidelines, agreements or correspondence.
• Advise on disciplinary cases and provide guidance to less experienced attorneys and support staff.
• Provide legal support in the development of internal legislation and procedures, and associated directives, policies and processes.
• Handle legal files autonomously based on general guidance and ensure follow up and reporting.
• Direct and supervise the work of the Paralegal assigned to staff litigation and ensure quality and accuracy of work.
• Ensure coordination with other Litigation Counsels and Legal Officers working with the Paralegal.
• Provide legal services on public international law including advising on legal issues related to governing bodies and supporting drafting and review of draft decisions, reports and other documents.
• Prepare legal opinions and studies on the interpretation of INTERPOL's Constitution, Regulations and rules, and agreements with Host Countries.
• Perform any other duties as may be required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Law with emphasis in the area of public international law.
• A specialization and/or a complementary Master's degree in the law of international organizations and/or international civil service law would be a strong asset.
• At least five years of working experience as a lawyer in the field of international civil service law and/or public international law and/or law of international organizations.
• Fluency in English or French is essential and a working knowledge of the other is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of a third working language of the Organization (Arabic or Spanish) would be an asset.
• High analytical skills with the capacity to identify high-level risks and potential liabilities and to precisely articulate the critical issues in a case.
• Excellent litigation skills.
• Highest standards of ethics and professional integrity.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Maturity, with effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international/multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Good computer skills. As a minimum proficiency in standard office word-processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.

Skills

• Public International Law
• International Civil Service Law
• Law of International Organizations
• Litigation Skills
• Legal Drafting
• Risk Analysis
• Employment Law
• International Public Administrative Law
• Case Management
• Paralegal Supervision
• Office Word-Processing
• Spreadsheet Software Knowledge
• Database Software
• Presentation Software

Languages

English, French, Arabic, Spanish