JOB DESCRIPTION

24162 | Registry

Posting Date:

17/09/2025

Deadline for Applications:

24/09/2025 (midnight The Hague time)

Organizational Unit:

Office of the Public Counsel for Defence (50002883), Registry

Duty Station:

The Hague – NL

Type of Appointment:

Short Term Appointment

Minimum Net Annual Salary:

€109,277.00

Contract Duration:

3 months

Special Notice:

A Short-Term Appointment is used to recruit staff to meet short-term needs. The duration of this assignment is provided above. The maximum duration of a short-term appointment including extensions shall not exceed 12 months.

A Short-Term Appointment does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal and shall not be converted to any other type of appointment.

Due to the short-term nature of the assignment, the ICC reserves the right to make an appointment at one grade lower than that stated in the vacancy with a modified job description.

A current ICC staff member who is holding a fixed-term appointment may apply for any short-term position. Where a current ICC staff member is selected to a short-term position, he or she will be temporarily assigned to the position in line with section 4.10 of ICC/AI/2016/001. GS-level posts are subject to local recruitment only.

The terms and conditions of service for staff members appointed under a short-term appointment are governed by ICC/AI/2016/001.

Organisational Context

The Office of Public Counsel for the Defence provides support and assistance to Counsel of accused persons and suspects, including legal research and advice and appearing before a Chamber in respect of specific issues. The Office is independent and falls within the remit of the Registry solely for administrative purposes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Principal Counsel, the Legal Advisor/Counsel will be responsible for the following duties:

• Prepare the legal position of the Office on issues concerning the rights of the defence at the investigations stage, or some specific issues which may arise if the Office is expressly appointed as ad hoc Counsel or duty Counsel for a particular issue or situation. This could entail reviewing evidence and analysing victim applications, conducting background factual research, drafting legal submissions and appearing in court as required;

• Prepare legal briefs on international humanitarian law, comparative criminal law and procedure, evidence and policy issues, and by managing and coordinating the legal research conducted by OPCD staff members in accordance with OPCD’s mandate under Regulation 77(4) to provide assistance and support to all defence Counsel and persons entitled to legal assistance;

• Assume responsibility for the Office during any temporary absence of the Principal Counsel, and may be required to represent the Office at internal and external meetings and seminars.

Required Qualifications

Education:

A first level university degree in law from a recognized university, preferably with specialisation in criminal, international, humanitarian or international criminal law.

Experience:

– At least 9 years (7 years with an advanced level university degree) of experience in the field of international law/criminal law/human rights law.

– Practical experience working in complex litigation, preferably international criminal cases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

– Excellent research, drafting and advocacy skills.

– Admission to practice in a national jurisdiction.

– Excellent organisation skills, and ability to supervise other staff within the Office.

– Good computer skills. Familiarity with E-Court environment and litigation software would be desirable.

– Demonstrated ability to display initiative, prioritise and complete tasks in an efficient manner under short deadlines.

– Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.

ICC Competencies:

– Dedication to the mission and values:

Encourages employees to act consistently in accordance with the mission and values of the ICC; leads by example. Maintains confidentiality, acts with integrity and shows respect for diversity; shows commitment to the organisation; presents a positive image of the organisation during external discussions.

– Professionalism:

Applies professional and technical expertise; keeps abreast of organisational issues; produces workable solutions to a range of problems.

– Teamwork:

Listens, consults others and communicates proactively; handles disagreements with tact and diplomacy; recognises and rewards the contribution of others.

– Learning and Development:

Identifies development strategies needed to achieve work and career goals and makes use of developmental or training opportunities; learns from successes and failures; seeks feedback and gives feedback to others to increase organisational effectiveness; seeks opportunities for improvement of work; has an open mind and contributes to innovation.

– Handling Uncertain Situations:

Adapts to changing circumstances; deals with ambiguity, making positive use of the opportunities it presents; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances; manages time effectively.

– Interaction:

Handles contacts with diplomacy and tact; communicates in a transparent and open way with internal and external contacts, while complying with confidentiality requirements.

– Realising objectives:

Accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm; keeps to agreements with others; focuses on client needs; takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; monitors and maintains quality and productivity.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, French or English is required. Working knowledge of the other working language is highly desirable. Working knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

ICC Leadership Competencies

Purpose

Collaboration

People

Results

ICC Core Competencies

Dedication to the mission and values

Professionalism

Teamwork

Learning and developing

Handling uncertain situations

Interaction

Realising objectives

Learn more about ICC leadership and core competencies.

General Information

Candidates appointed to posts at a P-5 grade or in the Director category are subject to a maximum aggregate length of service of seven years. This is pursuant to a decision of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP Resolution ICC-ASP/23/Res.2 – ICC-ASP-23-Res.2-ENG) to implement a tenure policy at the Court as of 1 January 2025.

– The selected candidate will be subject to a Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) process in accordance with ICC policy. The PSC process will include but will not be limited to, verification of the information provided in the personal history form and a criminal record check.

– Applicants may check the status of vacancies on ICC E-Recruitment web-site.

– Post to be filled by a national of a State Party to the ICC Statute, or of a State which has signed and is engaged in the ratification process or which is engaged in the accession process. This is pursuant to a decision of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP Resolution ICC-ASP/23/Res.3 – ICC-ASP-23-Res.3-ENG) to introduce a moratorium on the recruitment by the ICC of staff of non-States Parties’ nationality.

– In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC aims to achieve fair representation of women and men for all positions, representation of the principal legal systems of the world for legal positions, and equitable geographical representation for positions in the professional category.

– Applications from female candidates are particularly encouraged.

– The International Criminal Court applies the Inter-Organization Mobility Accord and can support secondment of staff from organizations of the United Nations Common System.