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Legal Officer

Rome

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Rome
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
  • Closing Date: Closed

1G021G02

• 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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is the Specialized Agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to high-quality food.
As an Office reporting directly to the Director-General, the Legal Office (LEG) provides authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, units in Headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and Members of the Organization.
The position of Legal Officer is located in the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA) in the Legal Office (LEG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. LEGA provides legal advice to all units of the Organization, and its Governing and Statutory Bodies, on constitutional questions, the interpretation of its Basic Texts, international treaties, internal legal rules and policies, as well as on legal aspects of relations with the Host and other Governments, other international organizations, private sector and other entities, and specific legal aspects of personnel matters. It represents FAO in judicial proceedings and in settlements of disputes.

Reporting Lines
The Legal Officer reports to the Deputy Legal Counsel.

Technical Focus
Public International Law, international administrative law and contract law.

Key Results
The provision of legal advice and support on questions pertaining to the Organization’s constitutional and legal framework, and its mandate.

Key Functions
• Conducts extensive legal research and analyses on questions relating to international, public, private and administrative law, involving, inter alia, the application and interpretation of FAO Basic Texts, and the internal rules of the Organization, privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procurement and contract law, data protection and IT, and issues relating to the FAO Governing and Statutory Bodies;
• Undertakes extensive review of legal documents, instruments and other material, and drafts legal opinions, advice, and communications on matters falling within the above areas of law, as well as documents subject to review by Governing and Statutory bodies of the Organization or required for meetings convened or serviced by the Organization;
• Reviews internal appeals and complaints lodged by staff members with the internal appeals mechanisms and the ILO Administrative Tribunal and prepares the pleadings for the Organization;
• Participates, as required, in working groups, meetings, seminars and conferences;
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law in a field relevant to FAO’s mandate
• Five years of relevant legal experience in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law and contract law
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in Public International Law, and contract law, preferably in an international setting.
• Admission to practice law in Italy is an asset, as well as excellent skills in drafting in the Italian language.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting, reviewing and advising on legal matters involving considerable complexity, including in supporting negotiations and advising on litigation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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