Consultancy - International Legal Expert on Food Security and Nutrition Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

BACKGROUND

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are implementing a joint pilot project to enhance the legal environment for food security and nutrition at global and national levels. The joint project aims to support decision-makers to comply with the progressive realization of the right to adequate food as part of the COVID-19 response and recovery by strengthening legal frameworks for food security and nutrition, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups, especially women and girls.

To achieve this, IDLO and FAO will develop a global legal assessment to map out legislative trends in the context of COVID-19 response and analyze their possible impact on access to affordable and nutritious food from a human rights-based perspective. The findings of the global legal assessment will inform a guidance document to support governments and law-makers in their efforts to strengthen legal frameworks in enhancing food security and nutrition of vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, in reponse to COVID-19 and recovery efforts.   

Public consultations will then be organized through online platforms with key international stakeholders and State parties’ representatives to discuss and inform the preliminary findings of the report and the guidance document.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the direct supervision of the Food Security Program Lead and the overall supervision of the Director of Programs at IDLO, and with technical guidance and backstopping from experts of the Development Law Service of FAO, the International Legal Expert will undertake the following responsibilities: 

• In line with the methodological guidance developed by FAO and IDLO, develop a work plan and working methodology to conduct the global assessment,
• Develop a detailed outline of the legal assessment report and share it with IDLO and FAO for review and approval including a list of resource materials and a list of persons to be interviewed.
• Conduct a mapping of legislative trends in the context of COVID-19 response and a broad analysis of legislative measures from a human rights-based approach.
• Develop the global legal assessment report in close coordination with FAO and IDLO
• Develop a mapping of relevant actors and stakeholders at the international level to conduct the public consultations and dissemination of the global guidance note.
• Prepare a presentation with the findings of the draft global legal assessment.
• In coordination with FAO and IDLO, develop a Guidance note for decision-makers, based on the recommendations from the global legal assessment, to support actions to strengthen the food security and nutrition legal environment and contribute to the realization of the Right to Adequate Food.
• Support in the organization of dissemination events, in close collaboration with relevant units at IDLO and FAO.
• Support the elaboration of the national legal assessment of each of the two pilot countries (Honduras and Uganda) by providing guidance on ways to use the global assessment report’s main findings to inform the national assessment report and promote coherence.
• Prepare biweekly progress reports and participate in internal meetings
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

Below is an overall timeline for the assignment: 

Ideal Candidate Profile

Education and Work experience

• Advanced University degree in Law, preferably with a specialization on topics related to food security and nutrition and/or human rights.
• 10 years of professional experience in legal analysis and research.
• Experience in Food Security and Nutrition and/or Right to Food legal frameworks is required.
• Experience in analyzing legal frameworks in emergency or crisis situations is an asset.
• Previous experience in conducting research on the intersection between the rule of law and food security and nutrition is a strong asset.
• Proven experience in organizing and facilitating events involving a broad range of stakeholders (public institutions, international organizations, civil society, local communities) is an asset.
• Previous work experience with international/intergovernmental organization is an asset.

 Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish is a strong asset. Working knowledge of another UN language will also be considered an asset.

Technical competencies

• Excellent knowledge of the international policy and legal framework on food security and nutrition.
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other ICT and internet software

Behavioral competencies

• Works well with others and actively participates, works effectively across and within IDLO organizational boundaries.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexibility and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, credibility, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field locations, if necessary.

how to apply

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via this website and submit resume and cover letter.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Contractor assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.