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 in Headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and Members of the Organization.

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 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.

The position is located in the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Legal Officer reports to the Deputy Legal Counsel or another more senior Legal Officer as designated by the Legal Counsel.

Technical Focus

Public international law, law of international organizations/constitutional law, international administrative law and contract law.

Key Results

The provision of legal advice and support on questions pertaining to the Organization’s constitutional and legal framework, and its status as a specialized agency of the United Nations system.

Key Functions

• Assists senior legal officers to prepare and provide advice on various legal issues including on aspects of public international law and international administrative law.
• Conducts legal research and analysis on questions relating to public international law, international administrative law, the law of international organizations, and international treaty law, having regard to the FAO Basic texts, relevant international treaties and practices.
• Assists senior legal officers in the review and drafting of legal opinions, agreements, contracts, pleadings, formal correspondence and other legal documents, identifying important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. on matters falling within the above-listed areas of law.
• Assists senior colleagues in servicing meetings of Governing and Statutory Bodies, conferences, expert groups and other bodies, including in the preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc.
• Performs other duties, as required.

Specific Functions

• Prepares 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 legal advice on a variety of issues arising from complex contractual arrangements, including for the receipt of voluntary contributions, as well as modalities for collaboration with a variety of partners including the private sector, and the development of innovative modalities to promote FAO’s operations and meet unique needs/circumstances supporting delivery of FAO’s mandate as appropriate.
• Advises on the legal aspects of human resources related matters, including appeals filed within the internal justice system and the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, disciplinary processes, policy review and clearance, and other requests as required.
• Prepares 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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law (Master’s degree or equivalent). A first level university degree in Law combined with an additional two (2) 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.
• Three years of relevant legal experience in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law and contract law.
• Working knowledge (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.
• Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) an advantage.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing legal advice on issues of public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law and contracts, preferably in an international setting.
• Extent of knowledge of the United Nations system, and the work of a legal office of an intergovernmental organization.
• Admission to practice law in a national jurisdiction is an advantage.
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting, reviewing and advising on legal texts and issues, including matters involving considerable complexity.

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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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.  
• 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

Apply Via the Official Website