National Legal consultant – Review and analysis of Seed Policy and regulatory framework

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representatives, is to assistant governments to develop policies , programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Representation in South Sudan is organizes in three main units: programme, Operations and administration. The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management, food information systems is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines

Reports to the Head of Programmes

Technical Focus

• Identify and collect all relevant information pertaining policies and national legislation directly or indirectly related to agriculture in general, with specify attention seed, extension and plant protection;

Tasks and responsibilities

· support the review and assess the current status of the national seed policy (draft), control and certification services;

· review the existing national seed policy and legislations, and support their modernization for consistency with the Convention on biodiversity and relevant international instrument;

· prepare a national legal report following the model provided by the Legal Office and complete a matrix of legislation and submit it to the legal office;

· support the preparation of the mission of the International Legal Consultant and the FAO-LEGN officer in Seed Legislation, set up and attend all meetings necessary for the international experts to successfully complete their work;

· facilitate and document detailed discussions with all relevant authorities aiming at identifying appropriate and adoptable means for the approval of the draft legislation on seeds;

· assist in organizing and participate in the meetings and workshops organized during the mission to sensitize key government policymakers and stakeholders to the roles, responsibilities and powers of the seed, extension and plant protection authorities, enforcement officers and practitioners as set out in the draft seeds policy and legislation and to discuss other issues of concern;

· assist the International Legal Consultant in finalization of draft seed policy and preparing a draft seed legislation in line with international standards and the implementation plan;

· act as a resource person for the national workshops attended by key stakeholders;

· Carry out any other relevant activities as may be deemed necessary.

• Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or any equivalent Social Sciences degree
• Minimum 5 years of working experience preferably in plant protection/ environmental or agricultural law
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English is sufficient.
• Nationality of South Sudan or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in natural plant protection/natural resources, seed related law
• Excellent legal drafting skills
• Previous experience working in South Sudan is desirable
• Good knowledge of the UN system, procedures and operational activities would be an advantage

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