**VACANCY NOTICE 1487 **
This vacancy announcement pertains to law enforcement and/or governmental officials within INTERPOL's member countries only.
Please read the Conditions of Secondment in force at INTERPOL (shared via the NCB) including the maximum duration of secondment.
Please be aware that your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government will be responsible for all of your salary/remuneration, social insurance, pension contributions, welfare benefits, family allowances, benefits during your assignment at INTERPOL as well as travel, removal expenses related to your arrival at and departure from INTERPOL, and any other related costs depending on your circumstances. It is requested that you obtain in writing, confirmation from your home Administration/Agency/Service/Government that it agrees with these CONDITIONS OF SECONDMENT. This confirmation letter should be forwarded to us THROUGH THE NCB.
INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 member states. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. INTERPOL is now looking for a qualified candidate as a SECONDMENT - Counsel - Institutional Affairs within the Institutional Affairs which is part of the Exec. Dir. Legal Affairs.
Job title: SECONDMENT - Counsel - Institutional Affairs
Reporting To: Assistant Director, Institutional Affairs
Location: Lyon
Duration (in months): 36.00
Grade: 4
Number of post: 1
Security Clearance Level: Basic
Deadline for application: 20 May 2026
INTERPOL strives to achieve a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To achieve our Diversity goals, we encourage applications from women and nationals of under/unrepresented member countries who are passionate about our mission. INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.
SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES, INCLUDING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POST
The incumbent will assist the Director of Institutional Affairs and his/her designee in the provision of legal services to the various departments of the General Secretariat, INTERPOL's governing bodies and Member Countries in a wide range of institutional, policy and administrative matters related to the Organization's activities and functioning.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES
Primary duties
Duty 1: Advice and Legal research
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Provides legal services in a wide range of complex or novel substantive and procedural questions of public international law, including:
- Preparing legal opinions and studies as requested by the Director of Institutional Affairs and departments of the General Secretariat on the interpretation of INTERPOL's Constitution, Regulations and rules, relevant decisions of the governing bodies and agreements with Host Countries;
Advising on legal issues arising in the context of the governing bodies, including supporting the drafting and review of draft decisions, reports and other relevant documents as well as providing advice on the application and interpretation of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and Executive Committee;
- Providing legal support in the review, negotiation and drafting of agreements on privileges and immunities;
- Providing legal support in the development of internal legislation and procedures, and associated directives, policies and processes, and reviewing legal issues arising in connection with their implementation;
- Advising on intellectual property rights issues, and preparing terms of use, disclaimers and other notices for web platforms and publications;
Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, notes, studies, briefs, reports
Duty 2: Handling legal files
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- Handles, in an autonomous way, legal files assigned to him/her based on general guidance received from his/her hierarchy. Ensures follow up and reporting
- Drafts or reviews new legal documents (legal memoranda, guidelines, agreements or correspondence) at the request of his/her hierarchy and based on instructions received.
- Maintains contact with representatives of INTERPOL's Members and with external partners based on instructions received.
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Duty 3: Meetings
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Assist in the preparation for INTERPOL meetings such as working groups, conferences and workshops. Prepare the legal documentation required for meetings and draft the minutes
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Service task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and meeting reports.
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Attend conferences, meetings and working groups in accordance with specific instructions received from the hierarchy.
Duty 4: Quality control
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Checks the quality and accuracy of the documents he/she produces that are further finalized by the secretariat of the Executive Directorate of Legal Affairs.
Performs any other duties as may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent degree) in law, with emphasis in the area of public international law.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
At least five years of working experience as a lawyer in the field of international law with specialization in the law of international organizations (interpretation of constituent instruments and secondary legislation, privileges and immunities, international civil service law).
LANGUAGES
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Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other working languages (Arabic, French and Spanish) is highly desirable.
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Knowledge of a third working language of the Organization would be an asset.
SPECIFIC SKILLS:
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Maturity, with effective oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international/ multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
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Excellent drafting skills
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Good computer skills. As a minimum proficiency in standard office word-processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.
ABILITIES REQUIRED:
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Ability to work persistently and under pressure with tight deadlines
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Ability to be self-motivated and methodological, to take initiative and work collaboratively in a team or individually
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Ability to develop and maintain professional networks
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Ability to synthesize