Counsel

Vacancy Notice 1931

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 196 Member Countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.

INTERPOL actively encourages applications from women and nationals of member countries that are currently unrepresented among our staff (please click on this link to access the list of countries). Candidates from these countries are particularly encouraged to apply.

INTERPOL’s recruitment process is merit-based hence all hiring decisions are made considering the applicant’s qualifications and the needs of the Organization.

Job Title: Counsel
Reporting To: Assistant Director Executive Office
Location: Lyon
Type of contract: Fixed-term Contract
Duration (in months): 36.00
Grade: 4
Number of post: 1
Level of Security screening: Basic
Deadline for application:27 July 2026

Conditions applying for all candidates

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates could be requested to provide copies of such official documents prior to interviews/test.

* Subsequent extension to this post will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Tests/interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately 2/3 weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

​Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately one to three months after receiving an offer of employment at the latest.

This selection exercise may be used to generate a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to address Organization's similar staffing needs in the future.

SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES, INCLUDING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

The incumbent will report to the Executive Director of Legal Affairs through the Assistant Director in the Executive Office and provides legal, strategic and coordination support on transversal matters across the Executive Directorate Legal Affairs (EDLA). The incumbent contributes to the planning, coordination and monitoring of priority initiatives, governance matters, institutional projects and high-level deliverables. He/she provides legal analysis and advice, prepares strategic documentation, supports coordination across EDLA and with other parts of the Organization, and assists in monitoring the implementation of key initiatives. The incumbent performs assignments requiring sound legal judgement, analytical skills and the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders under the guidance of the Manager.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

1 Primary duties

Duty 1: Provide legal and strategic support on transversal matters within EDLA

• Assist in the planning, coordination and monitoring of activities relating to legal advisory services, governance matters and strategic initiatives.
• Prepare legal analyses, briefing notes, reports, correspondence and other documents for senior management, governing bodies and internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the identification of legal and procedural issues and propose options for consideration.
• Support the coordination of cross-cutting initiatives across EDLA and with other Directorates to facilitate the timely delivery of agreed priorities.
• Contribute to monitoring progress on key initiatives and prepare status updates, as required.

Duty 2: Support the coordination of the EDLA Executive Office

• Assist in coordinating day-to-day activities relating to priority projects and institutional deliverables.
• Liaise with relevant units within the General Secretariat to facilitate information-sharing and coordination on legal and institutional matters.
• Contribute to monitoring deadlines and ensuring the timely preparation of documentation.
• Support administrative and organizational processes related to the Executive Office, as required.

Duty 3: Provide legal support for stakeholder engagement and institutional matters.

• Prepare legal documentation, agreements, memoranda and other instruments within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Participate in internal and external meetings and provide legal advice within delegated responsibilities.
• Support consultations and coordination with internal stakeholders, member countries and partner organizations on legal and institutional matters.
• Contribute to the preparation of meetings, briefings and follow-up actions.

Duty 4: Support the implementation of projects and initiatives.

• Contribute to the implementation of specific projects, programmes and transversal initiatives assigned by the Manager.
• Monitor progress against agreed milestones and identify issues requiring attention.
• Prepare reports, briefing notes and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with project teams to facilitate the timely delivery of assigned activities.

Perform any other duties as may be required by the hierarchy.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• A minimum of three to four years of completed education in law.
• A Master’s degree in Law, preferable in international law, criminal law, data protection or Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) law, would be a strong asset.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• At least five years of post-qualification legal experience as a lawyer in the field of international law and/or law of international organizations.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency of English is required (written and oral).
• Proficiency in a second official working language of the Organization (Arabic, French or Spanish) would be an additional asset.

ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Self-motivated with the ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.
• High analytical skills with the capacity to identify high level risks and potential liabilities and to precisely articulate the critical issues in a case.
• Ability to synthesize, analyse, and summarize complex legal and factual issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as demonstrated proficiency in.
• working closely with and advising senior executives of an organization.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Highest standards of ethics and professional integrity.
• Ability to work under pressure and produce results on short timelines.
• Good computer skills. As a minimum proficiency in standard office word processing.
• spreadsheet, database and presentation software.
• Good social skills, particularly in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to synthesize, analyse, and summarize complex legal and factual issues.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks.

As part of our commitment to transparency throughout our recruitment process, INTERPOL's Staff Manual Regulation 11.4: Age-limit, which states that:

'Officials of the Organization shall not normally be retained in service beyond the age of 65 years. The Secretary General may, in exceptional cases and in the interests of the Organization, extend this age limit, in which case he shall inform the official concerned sufficiently in advance.'

Given this Regulation and in case candidates reach the age of 65 during the potential duration of the appointment, should they be selected for the position and the process proceed to appointment, the employment period may be affected by this regulatory limit and may therefore not extend for the full standard contract duration as published in the vacancy notice.

We are sharing this information to ensure transparency at this stage of the process.