Legal Consultant

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, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Legal Consultant

Type of Contract: Regular Consultant Level I

Division: LEG

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 6 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

This position is located in the Legal Office (LEG) of the World Food Programme's Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Legal Consultant will be assigned to the Contractual & Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC).

The position will primarily focus on matters relating to:

• relations and agreements with external parties, such as public-sector donors, other UN agencies and international organizations, international financial institutions, NGOs, and cooperating partners;
• legal aspects of the governance of WFP and the interpretation of WFP’s institutional legal framework, such as WFP General Regulations, General Rules, Financial Regulations, and Financial Rules, and other administrative issuances; and
• International law, including WFP’s institutional privileges and immunities and humanitarian law.

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 Consultant will be assigned to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC).

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis; handle a range of multi-disciplinary complex legal matters including interpretation and application of various legal instruments in the relevant area of concentration to facilitate the provision of quality legal services.
• Review legal documents, identify and analyze important issues, presenting findings and recommendations for internal review to contribute to the decision-making process.
• Prepare or assist in preparation of legal opinions or advice on a wide range of legal issues background papers, studies, memoranda, reports and other legal documents.
• Negotiate and prepare agreements and contracts with public and private entities and assisting with contractual interpretation and dispute resolution activities.
• Identify potential liabilities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties, and assist in the management of risks in WFP’s activities to facilitate well-informed decisions.
• Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes with public and private entities. Prepare and assess briefs of evidence to contribute to legal analysis and solutions.
• Assist in providing legal advice on all aspects in public international law as well as international humanitarian law.
• Assist in providing legal advice on a full range of issues regarding the interpretation and application of WFP’s legal framework.
• Assist senior Legal Officers in servicing committees, task forces, expert working groups and other bodies with legal advice and preparation/review of legal documents to contribute to the formulation of WFP’s position.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law in Law with additional relevant experience and training.
At least five years of relevant professional experience as a lawyer in a law firm, with experience working in the legal office of an international organization.  

Experience:

At least five years of relevant professional experience as a lawyer in a law firm, with experience working in the legal office of an international organization.  

Knowledge and Skills:

• Technical knowledge of, and experience in public international law, governance issues, and relations with public entities and demonstrated ability to draft contracts that are appropriate to contractual counterparty and context.
• Solution oriented and proactive with excellent communication skills and commercial acumen.
• Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.
• Strong time management and priorities management skills.

General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures is an asset.

Languages:

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

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 5 June 2022

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.