International Legal Specialist on Biosafety

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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 person 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

Organizational Setting

The Legal Office of FAO ensures that FAO's activities are carried out in accordance with its Constitution and the other Basic Texts of the Organization, consistent with its status as an intergovernmental organization of the United Nations system, and that its relations with governments, organizations and individuals are based on a sound legal basis.

The Development Service of the Law Office (LEGN) provides legal advisory services to governments on food and agriculture and natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife, environment, climate change and biodiversity), as well as general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform).

Reporting Lines

The International Legal Specialist on Biosafety reports to the Chief, LEGN while day-to-day supervision is provided by a designated Legal Officer (LEGN).

Technical Focus

Legal research and advisory services to Governments in relation to food and agriculture and biosafety legislation.

Tasks and responsibilities

FAO, UNEP and the CBD Secretariat will implement a tripartite collaboration aimed at expanding knowledge and increasing the visibility around the role of legislation for biosafety, primarily through the development and broad dissemination of a diagnostic tool to analyze national legislation and identify gaps in the implementation of the CPB in addition to the provision of technical drafting assistance to a limited number of countries. Through the combined activities a total of four countries will receive direct technical legal assistance from FAO, while a larger group of countries will benefit from capacity-building, outreach and awareness-raising activities aimed at the development of biosafety legislation to ensure the full implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and, as applicable, the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress.
Under the direct technical supervision of the project’s LTO and Legal Officer and in close collaboration with national consultants as well as the project task force members that include UNEP and SCBD, the International Specialist on Biosafety will undertake the following tasks\:
• Lead the development, consultation, and drafting processes of a diagnostic tool on biosafety legislation;
• Advise, support and contribute to the work of the national consultants in the four target countries, especially in relation to national legal assessments, the formulation of drafting recommendations and the drafting of legislation or amendments;
• Participate in and support national workshops on biosafety legislation;
• Contribute to outreach and awareness-raising efforts;
• Liaise with countries in the region (of each target country) to ensure their engagement (online) in relevant training activities throughout the project.
• Oversee the establishment of informal partnerships between the four beneficiary countries and countries in their respective region interested in strengthening their biosafety legislation;
• Undertake missions and prepare mission reports after each mission, with key recommendations;
• Actively contribute to the reporting efforts.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced Legal degree (LLM) or university degree in an area closely related to biosafety.
• At least five (5) years of relevant legal work experience.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Applicants must have demonstrated interest in the technical areas listed above, as well as strong analytical, legal research and writing skills.

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.
• Degree of knowledge and experience in legal issues related to a relevant technical areas;
• Degree of experience in developing national legislative and regulatory measures to implement international agreements, codes, guidelines or other instruments;
• Experience in legal drafting and development in Africa and Asia;
• Ability to conduct legal research and analysis;
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and draft legal texts, legislative and regulatory instruments;
• Experience working with international or regional organizations or other entities in a relevant field;

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• 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
• 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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