Legal Officer (P4)

IPCC; Genf; On-site; CHF 71,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

IPCC in Geneva seeks a senior legal officer to manage complex legal and procedural matters concerning IPCC activities. You will advise on international law, interpret IPCC Rules and related instruments, and conduct thorough legal research to support IPCC processes.

The role also covers drafting MOUs and contracts, overseeing observer accreditation, and coordinating with WMO Legal Counsel to align positions. A Master's in international law and seven years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or international law or related field.
• Seven years of national and international legal experience, including UN system exposure.
• Expertise in public international law and law of international organizations.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex legal and procedural matters related to IPCC and its activities.
• Provide legal advice on substantive and procedural questions, including IPCC Rules and Procedures.
• Conduct legal research and prepare briefs, reports and correspondence in support of IPCC work.
• Draft and review memoranda of understanding, contracts and IP/copyright matters.
• Assist in managing observer accreditation processes and maintaining the observers list.
• Coordinate with WMO Legal Counsel to ensure consistent legal positions across IPCC and WMO.

Skills

Communication & Influence

Decision Making

Problem Solving

Integrity & Accountability

Education

Master's degree in international law

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Apply Before 7 November 2026, 11:59 PM Genevan time

Duties and Responsibilities

(a) Handle complex legal and procedural matters related to the IPCC and its activities;

(b) Provide legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, including the interpretation and application of IPCC Rules and Procedures, and other constitutive and legislative instruments governing IPCC activities and operations;

(c) Conduct legal research and analysis and prepare comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence in support of IPCC work and the application of procedures; undertake review of legal documents, instruments, or other material, and identify important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies; provide advice to follow-up actions;

(d) Clear permission/copyright requests to reproduce IPCC material;

(e) Perform functions related to the implementation of the IPCC Conflict of Interest Policy;

(f) Assist in reviewing and managing the IPCC policy and process for admitting observer organizations, including the application requests by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for observer status, and maintain the list of accredited observers to the IPCC updated;

(g) Develop, maintain, and support partnerships with governments, United Nations bodies and initiatives, and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations; and set up and maintain a network of continuous working contacts and facilitate regular exchange of information with IPCC partners;

(h) Provide legal advice, support, and review regarding the drafting of Memoranda of Understanding and other legal contracts between the IPCC and governments, non-governmental organizations and other public and private partners;

(i) Contribute to the preparation of relevant outreach activities such as United Nations conferences, seminars and lectures;

(j) Coordinate with the WMO Legal Counsel on legal positions of an institutional, precedential or cross-cutting nature, and on any matter engaging the legal responsibility, liability, privileges and immunities or reputation of WMO, so as to ensure the consistency of legal advice across WMO and the IPCC; and

(k) Carry out other relevant duties as required.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree or equivalent in international law or related field.

Experience:

• At least seven years of combined national and international progressively responsible experience in legal work, of which three to four years at the international level and preferably acquired in the United Nations system.
• Demonstrated expertise in public international law, the law of international organizations and administrative law, including the interpretation and application of constitutive instruments, rules of procedure and staff, financial and procurement regulations and rules of an intergovernmental body.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting, negotiating and reviewing memoranda of understanding, contracts and other legal instruments, and on intellectual property and copyright, conflict of interest and observer accreditation matters.

Other Requirements:

• High sense of integrity, responsibility, and maturity of judgment;
• Sound legal judgement, the ability to identify legal risk and to provide clear, practical and well-reasoned advice to senior officials and intergovernmental bodies;
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion;
• Ability to work autonomously;
• Good level of initiative and creativity;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage multiple workloads;
• Ability to draft reports, correspondence and legal documents clearly and succinctly in English;
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications;
• Familiarity with the work of WMO and the IPCC structure and activities.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster diversity and team spirit.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Knowledge of French is desirable.

Knowledge of other official languages of the Organization would be an advantage.

(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)

The Legal Officer must demonstrate individual-level proficiency in the following competencies:

• Communication & Influence
• Decision Making & Problem Solving
• Integrity & Accountability

Salary and Allowances:

The position is funded from the IPCC Trust Fund.

Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 86,027.

Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 72,005 (in addition to the net base salary)

Additional Information:

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

WMO does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). WMO will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.