Legal Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

We are seeking to fill one consultancy position within our Legal Office (LEG), based in WFP’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy.*

The Legal Consultant will be assigned to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC). The role will be diverse and will primarily involve providing legal advice and working on a variety of finance-related matters, including cash operations, innovative financing mechanisms, and a range of general commercial transactional matters and field support.

* Remote working from Permanent Place of Residence could be considered for these positions.

The Legal Consultant may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests. The Legal Office is organized in three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

• LEGC provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector and government contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, communications and IT;

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees; and

• The Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including Procurement (Food, Goods & Services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, LEGC, the Legal Consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Independently handle a broad range of multi‑disciplinary and complex legal matters, including interpretation and application of international, commercial, financial, administrative, and contractual legal instruments, to ensure the delivery of high‑quality legal services

• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, identifying key legal issues, risks, and implications, and provide clear, well‑reasoned recommendations to support strategic and operational decision‑making.

• Draft, review, and contribute to legal opinions, advisory notes, background papers, studies, memoranda, reports, and other complex legal documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational interests.

• Draft, negotiate, and review complex agreements and contracts with public and private entities, including governments, UN organizations, NGOs, financial institutions, digital payments providers, infrastructure and technology providers, and other commercial partners; advise on contractual interpretation, risk allocation, and dispute resolution.

• Contribute to the identification, assessment, and mitigation of legal risks and potential liabilities, particularly vis‑à‑vis third parties, supporting proactive risk management and safeguarding WFP’s legal and reputational interests.

• Participate in, and provide legal support to, the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes involving public and private entities, including preparation and assessment of briefs of evidence and related legal submissions.

• Provide legal advice on administrative decisions and procedural matters, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and internal governance frameworks.

• Support and/or service committees, task forces, expert working groups, and other internal bodies, including preparation and review of legal documentation, to contribute to the formulation and articulation of WFP’s legal position.

• Promote an equitable, inclusive, and gender‑responsive approach across all areas of work, in line with WFP’s diversity and inclusion framework.

• Perform other related duties, as required, within the scope of delegated authority.

RESULTS EXPECTED

Delivery of clear, concise, and well‑structured legal analysis and drafting on complex and sensitive legal matters. Comprehensive and timely legal research supporting informed organizational decision‑making. Timely preparation of sound written analysis of a variety of legal issues pertaining to commercial, finance, international, contract and constitutional law. Application of specialized expertise in preparing legal advice, which is easily understandable to staff members not trained in the field of law and appropriate in the context of diverse geographical environment of our operation. Proactive identification of opportunities to improve legal processes, methodologies, or approaches within the immediate work area Demonstrated adaptability and professionalism in engaging with a wide range of partners and stakeholders under evolving circumstances.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training (preferably with specialization in commercial law, finance and banking law).

Work Experience:

Typically eight years or more (three of which international) of relevant progressively responsible experience in law and provision of a wide range of legal services including to the senior managers or important clients..

Knowledge Skills: 

• In‑depth technical expertise in commercial and finance law, including experience with innovative financing, cash‑based operations, and structuring and drafting complex contractual arrangements.

• Strong analytical judgment, solution‑oriented mindset, and ability to provide independent legal advice.

• Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outputs under tight deadlines.

• Experience or demonstrated understanding of data protection and technology law is an asset.

• Knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is an advantage.

•  Ability to conduct legal work in French is an asset.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required. Fluency (level C) in oral and written French and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.