24540 | Registry




Deadline for Applications: 09/10/2026 (midnight The Hague time)
Organizational Unit: Office of Public Counsel for the Defense, Registry
Duty Station: The Hague - NL
Type of Appointment: Fixed-Term Appointment
Post Number: T-3244
Minimum Net Annual Salary : €70,675.00
Contract Duration: To be determined



A roster of suitable candidates may 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).




Organizational Context



The Office of Public Counsel for Defence provides legal support and assistance to legal teams representing accused persons and suspects, including legal research and advice and appearing before a Chamber in respect of specific issues. The Office may also be appointed by the Chamber to represent the interests of the defence during the preliminary stages, or to act as duty counsel for a suspect. The Office is independent and falls within the remit of the Registry solely for administrative purposes.




Duties & Responsibilities



Under the direct supervision of the Counsel and under the overall guidance of the Principal Counsel, the Associate Legal Officer will provide substantive legal assistance, including:

• Conducts legal research on a diverse range of issues in international and domestic criminal and human rights law; selects relevant material, and analyzes information for Defence teams appearing before the ICC.


• Assists Legal Officers/Counsels in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, and provides legal advice and support.


• Drafts training and practice manuals and legal digests.


• Performs other tasks as instructed by the Principal Counsel or other senior staff of the OPCD.

Essential Qualifications



Education:



Advanced university degree in law, from a recognized university, preferably specialising in criminal law, international law or human rights law, is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.



Experience:

• A minimum of two years (four years with a first level university degree) of relevant work experience in litigation (including pre-trial preparation and litigation), preferably as a prosecutor, investigating magistrate, criminal defence lawyer, or the equivalent is required.


• Practical experience working in international litigation, preferably with a defence team, would be desirable;


• Demonstrated experience in preparing or conducting complex legal cases, preferably with members from different criminal justice systems.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Excellent research and drafting skills;


• Ability to display initiative, to work under strict deadlines, and to work with minimal supervision, if necessary;


• Strong analytical and computer skills;


• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment;


• Absolute discretion necessary.

Knowledge of Languages:



Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, English or French, is required. Working knowledge of the other is essential. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) would be considered 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.