International Legal Consultant

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. REU develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

The International Legal Consultant will work under the technical supervision of the Chief, FAO Development Law Service (LEGN), and the operational supervision of the FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan and the FAO-REU Plant Production and Protection Officer (LTO).

Technical Focus

Organic agriculture law, regulations and standards development.

FAO will lead the implementation of GCP/KYR/022/ROK - Support to establish the legal and institutional framework for organic farming in the Kyrgyz Republic. The main objectives of this project will be to support the establishment of the legal and institutional framework on organic farming production and organic certification, and to strengthen the capacity of farmers in organic production and marketing. In this respect, expected outcomes of the project are improved legal basis, institutional framework, inspection and certification system and capacities of state experts and specialists in relevant areas as well as enhanced market share of organic products from Kyrgyzstan within the global and local organic markets. Applications are invited for the position of an International Legal Consultant to provide the technical support towards the implementation of the GCP/KYR/022/ROK project. This consultancy has a duration of 40 working days over 24 months, including three technical missions to Bishkek of about 30 days and 10 days deskwork.

Tasks and responsibilities

The International Legal Consultant will have the followings tasks\:

• Attend the project inception workshop to present international rules and regulations on organic agriculture.
• Review the current legal and institutional framework for organic agriculture in Kyrgyzstan, including the national organic agriculture legislation, and make recommendations for legal and regulatory reform.
• Provide guidance and support to the National Legal Consultant on the national legal report, and revise and complete it as necessary. Ensure the report includes concrete recommendations for improvement and harmonization of the national legislation on organic agriculture with international rules and regulations (including primary and secondary legislation).
• Based on the recommendations of the technical team, prepare draft-implementing regulations for the organic agriculture law, including a regulation on institutional organization, through a consultative process with the government.
• Carry out consultations with national counterparts and stakeholders as necessary.
• After the first mission, prepare a mission report with the results of the mission, the analysis of the national legislation, and the proposed regulations, and submit it to LEGN for revision and approval.
• Participate in a policy debate with relevant stakeholders to confirm strengths and weaknesses of the proposed regulation.
• Provide technical support as required by the Government on the current consultations on the draft organic agriculture law.
• Meet all national counterparts and stakeholders and discuss the draft organic agriculture law;
• Conduct a training course on developing agricultural legislation for ministerial staff working on organic agriculture.
• Prepare a brief mission report summarizing his/her findings, conclusions and recommendations, and update draft legal texts based on discussions.
• Assess the advances reached in the revision of the legal framework in respect to the expected project outcomes and discuss with the national stakeholders.
• Make additional presentations and have consultations with stakeholders to provide further inputs into the revised/proposed regulation.
• Attend the Final Workshop to get feedback on future needs.
• Prepare a final report with the analysis of the legal framework, the proposed draft implementing regulations, and draft organic standards, and submit it to LEGN for revision.
• Perform any other duties when required.