Legal Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

FAO is the specialized Agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to high-quality food. As part of the Office of the Director-General, the Legal Office (LEG) provides authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, units, centres, and offices, in headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and Members of the Organization.
The position is located in the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

LEGA provides legal advice to all units of the Organization and its Governing and Statutory Bodies on constitutional questions, the interpretation of its Basic Texts, international treaties, internal legal rules and policies, as well as on legal aspects of relations with the Host Government and other Governments, other international organizations, private sector and other entities, and specific legal aspects of personnel matters. It represents FAO in judicial proceedings and in settlements of disputes.

Reporting Lines

The Legal Officer reports to the Legal Counsel (LEG).

Technical Focus

International law and law of international organizations, including international administrative law.

Key Results

The provision of legal advice on questions pertaining to the Organization's mandate.

Key Functions

• Reviews a wide range of multidiscipline and complex legal matters involving issues of international, public, private, and administrative law, to include interpretation and application of instruments (both substantive and procedural).
• Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to administration and management, institutions support, procurement, contracts and other operational matters.
• Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence; provides legal advice to the Member Nations.
• Reviews and advises on and drafts complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities or legal pleadings/submissions and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
• Advises on, and participates in, negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, recommends legal course of action/approach, legal text for terms and conditions of contracts, etc.
• Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of LEG and represents the Organization in meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.

Specific Functions

• Provides legal advice on matters linked to FAO Governing and Statutory Bodies, prepares relevant documentation and consults with counterparts in other United Nations Specialized Agencies and other relevant entities as appropriate.
• Provides legal advice on matters related to FAO’s operations and status, including on questions related to privileges and immunities of the Organization and that of its personnel, as well as on the conclusion of host country agreements and operational arrangements.
• Prepares or reviews, as appropriate, the submissions of the World Food Programme (WFP) in response to appeals filed within the internal justice system and the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• Advises on the legal aspects of human resources related matters, including on disciplinary processes, policy review and clearance, and other requests as required.
• Reviews sections of the Administrative Manual, provides support with the management of the Administrative Manual and prepares related correspondence, when appropriate.
• Supervises and guides junior staff and consultants and reviews their work in this context.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law. A first level university degree in law combined with an additional two years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Seven years of relevant legal experience in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law and contract law.
• Working knowledge (full proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in international law, law of international organizations and/or international administrative law.
• Working knowledge (full proficiency - level C) of French or Spanish is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in litigation and in alternative settlement of disputes.
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and experience in drafting legal texts (legislative and regulatory instruments).

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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