Appeals Counsel (P-3)

A roster of suitable candidates will be established for this post as a result of this selection process for fixed-term appointments against both established posts and positions funded by general temporary assistance (GTA).

Organisational Context

The two Deputy Prosecutors, under the delegated authority of the Prosecutor, manage two established Prosecution Pillars. The two Prosecution Pillars manage an equal division of situations and cases based on a Unified Team concept.

The Prosecution Pillars oversee preliminary examinations, investigations, prosecutions, and when applicable, appeals proceedings; providing strategic advice and guidance to the Prosecutor on each situation and case under her/his responsibility. This will include recommendations on prioritisation and effective use of resources.

The Appeals and Prosecution Legal Coordination Section (APLCS), headed by a Senior Appeals Counsel, reports hierarchically to the Deputy Prosecutor in Pillar B. However, the Section also reports functionally to the other Deputy Prosecutor (Pillar A), thus providing specific expertise to both prosecution pillars. APLCS litigates all interlocutory and final appeals in both written and oral submissions before the Appeals Chamber; drafts key pre-trial and trial filings, in particular those involving significant and novel international criminal law and procedural law issues; and provides legal advice to Unified Teams, the Preliminary Examination Unit and other parts of the Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Appeals Counsel, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Analyse court decisions and filings, and advise on prospects for seeking leave to appeal, presenting arguments on appeal, or advancing appropriate responses;
• Conduct legal research, as required (regarding international criminal law, comparative criminal law and procedure, evidence and policy issues) and prepare legal opinions for discussion;
• In the context of appellate proceedings, draft portions of complex appellate briefs on behalf of the Prosecution and in response to defense submissions or any other submissions on matters litigated before the Appeals Chamber; in relation to applications for leave to appeal, draft applications, responses and any other submissions, as required;
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of oral arguments;
• Participate in hearings as instructed by the Senior Appeals Counsel; and review, analyse and select evidence and materials for the purposes of appellate proceedings where required;
• Provide legal advice and support to Unified Teams during investigations, pre-trial or trial proceedings, as requested;
• Perform any other tasks as requested by the Senior Appeals Counsel.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

Advanced university degree in law, preferably specialising in criminal law, international law or human rights law, is required.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree only to determine eligibility.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years (7 years with a first level university degree) of working experience in litigation, with demonstrated experience in drafting complex appellate briefs before courts or tribunals, is required.

Working experience in an international court or tribunal would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of international and comparative criminal law;
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
• Effective communication skills – both written and oral;
• Ability to plan and organize tasks as well as work under time pressure and urgent deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Professional and personal integrity

Knowledge of languages:

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

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Purpose
Collaboration
People
Results

ICC Core Competencies
Dedication to the mission and values
Professionalism
Teamwork
Learning and developing
Handling uncertain situations
Interaction
Realising objectives

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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) 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) 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.

• Personnel recruited at the General Service level are not entitled to all of the benefits granted to internationally-recruited staff;

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