Chief of the Judicial Cooperation Support Section (P-5)

Organizational Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division of External Operations (“DEO”), the Judicial Cooperation Support Section (“JCSS”) will be responsible for providing a coordinated, strategic approach to judicial cooperation within the Registry and Court’s stakeholders as a whole, both internally and externally, allowing the Registry to exercise a more prominent and strategic role in this regard. 
The Section is responsible for developing strategies and implementing external relations actions to further judicial cooperation objectives (including, inter alia, the conclusion of (voluntary) cooperation agreements related to the court proceedings, external engagements and participation at conferences and meetings on cooperation matters).

The JCSS consists of two units, the Judicial Cooperation Unit (JCU) and the Suspects-at-Large Unit (SLU). 
The Judicial Cooperation Unit (JCU), under the direction of the Head of Unit and the oversight of the Chief of JCSS, is responsible for cooperation matters pertaining to the implementation of Judicial Orders (including, inter alia, tracing and freezing of assets, (interim) release, witness appearance and evidence collection, observations from States) and to the provision of support to Defence, Legal Representatives of Victims and Registry sections for the discharge of activities in the context of their respective mandate. 

The Suspects-at-Large Unit (SLU), under the direction of the Head of Unit and the oversight of the Chief of JCSS, is responsible for developing strategies to optimize the arrest of suspects at large, collecting information on their whereabouts and other relevant information that could lead to their arrest, developing networks of partners to reinforce operational and /or diplomatic support, coordinating actions with the Office of the Prosecutor and advising the Chamber on possible courses of actions in this area as appropriate.   
 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of the DEO, the incumbent will perform the following functions: 

Leadership

•    Proposes and advises Registry leadership on relevant strategies and objectives in judicial cooperation, implementation of warrants of arrest and external relations activities to further judicial cooperation goals as well as the arrest and surrender of suspects at large.
•    Actively carries out and supports Registry’s vision, mission and values and through the work of the Section contributes to Registry goals and objectives.

Substantive

•    Acts as focal point for the Registry’s interactions with internal stakeholders, the Assembly of States Parties and individual States on all matters relating to judicial cooperation (including tracing and freezing of assets and cooperation for defence, family visits) and to suspects at large and arrest strategies.
•    Provides advice, guidance and decision-making on all Registry state cooperation, judicial cooperation (including tracing and freezing of assets and cooperation for defence), suspects at large tracking strategies and external relations activities for furthering judicial cooperation/arrest and surrender of suspects at large and ensures timely follow-up and escalation of non-cooperation issues to the Director.
•    Coordinates and represents the Registry in negotiations with external parties on the conclusion of (voluntary) cooperation agreements.
•    Coordinates and consults, as appropriate and where necessary, with the Judiciary and/or the Office of the Prosecutor on strategic matters relating to judicial cooperation (including tracing and freezing of assets and cooperation for defence) and suspects at large.
•    Liaises, builds and fosters networks and partnerships with diplomatic and State representatives, judicial authorities and other intergovernmental organizations (UN, EU, AU, OIF etc) in support of judicial cooperation efforts and suspects at large and arrest strategies and assists the Director and Registrar in their external relations activities to further cooperation. Coordinates and develops events and activities to strengthen such cooperation;
•    Coordinates with the Chief of the External Operations and Support Section, Chiefs of Country Office and the Head of the ICC Liaison Office in NY in the implementation of judicial cooperation and suspects-at-large strategies, when relevant.
•    Provides guidance and directions to the working groups on suspects at large.
•    Is responsible for the proper coordination and implementation of arrest and surrender operations as well as other cooperation related operations (such as enforcement of sentence, interim release and final release). 

Develop State Cooperation objectives:

•    Acts as a focal point for high-level matters related to judicial cooperation (including tracing and freezing of assets and cooperation for defence), and relations with the Assembly of States Parties on cooperation related matters.
•    Ensures or oversees adequate information management of Registry’s external interactions in relation to state cooperation; disseminates relevant information to stakeholders. 
•    Ensures that Registry cooperation activities meet the requirements of the Court’s legal framework, its case law.   
•    Where necessary, represents the Registry in the court proceedings, coordinates with Chambers and parties to proceedings, reviews and/ or prepares written and oral submissions in relation to judicial cooperation and suspects at large natters,
•    Oversees and coordinates the drafting of yearly cooperation reports to the ASP and the UN. 

Managerial

•    Proposes the Section’s annual programme of work to the Director in line with Registry strategic objectives.
•    Leads, plans, guides, innovates and oversees implementation of the Section’s programme of work.
•    Ensures that Registry leadership receives appropriate reporting on Section’s performance and any events, trends and developments critically affecting the achievement of programme of work and Registry strategic objectives and within delegated authority takes or recommends action.
•    Supervises and leads management team of Unit Heads within the Section.
•    Ensures or oversees management of human resources, including supervision, recruitment, retention, motivation, development, performance management of staff, conflict prevention and informal resolution.
•    Ensures or oversees management of Section’s budget appropriation and financial resources.
•    Ensures or oversees management of Section’s information, including categorization, sharing, archiving, etc.
•    Identifies policy gaps and makes proposals.
•    Ensures or oversees adoption of guidelines, manuals and procedures to effectively organize and implement programme of work. Review existing operating procedures as well as implementing a clear and efficient strategy to ensure timely outcome of judicial cooperation efforts and to optimize the arrest and surrender of suspects at large
•    Ensures compliance with relevant Registry or Section policies and procedures.
•    Ensures that the units and staff in the section work in unison, actively share information, cooperate and achieve synergies to achieve the Section’s mission and to deliver high-quality services.
 

Essential Qualifications:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Law, International Law, International Criminal Law, Political Science or any related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience (twelve years with a first-level university degree), including in diplomacy, judicial body and/or law enforcement institutions and international experience in the support of external relations and/or state cooperation matters is required.

Experience with the functioning of international or internationalized criminal tribunals or transitional justice mechanisms is an asset.

Skills and Ability:

• Excellent management and leadership skills;
• Experience in managerial positions in international organizations;
• Experience in supervising staff; drafting and reviewing policies, operating procedures and standard forms, developing strategies and work plans;
• Experience working in the international legal environment, working with Judicial branches, Law enforcement and highly sensitive situations;
• Excellent decision-making skills, with a well-developed ability to balance interests and translate general strategic plans into concrete strategies and actions for the Unit;
• A proven ability to provide direction, to plan and establish priorities and to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity;
• Coordination and organisational skills; written and oral communication and interpersonal skills; Strong negotiation skills;
• Strategic planning and analytical skills; Expertise in analysis techniques;
• Diplomatic skills; Tact, diplomacy and discretion;
• Problem-solving skills, excellent judgment and decision-making;
• Absolute discretion and loyalty;
• Respect for GRGB and (cultural) diversity. Ability to work effectively and constructively with colleagues from different professional, national and cultural backgrounds.

Knowledge of Languages:

Fluency in either of the working languages, English or French, is essential. Working knowledge of the other language is desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the Court would be considered an asset (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

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
– In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC is committed to achieving geographical representation and gender equality within its staff as well as representation of the principal legal systems of the world (legal positions). Nationals from the list of non-represented and under-represented States are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, applications from women are strongly encouraged for senior positions at the Professional (P) and Director (D) levels. Posts shall be filled preferably 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, but nationals from non-state parties may also be considered, as appropriate.

– 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.
– The Court reserves the right not to make any appointment to the vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.