Fellow Legal Office
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Job Summary
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
29 September 2026-23:59-GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)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 colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
Legal Fellow
Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) Legal Office (LEG)
Rome Italy
The position is located in the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) of WFPs Legal Office with headquarters in Rome Italy. Under the direct supervision of the Legal Officer the Fellow will assist the legal team in carrying out legal research drafting legal documents preparing relevant materials for internal discussions and meetings with stakeholders and reviewing contracts and agreements. The assignment also aims to enhance the offices efficiency and foster collaboration by providing cross-functional support to the Maritime Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) and the Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA).
City and Country of assignment: Rome Italy
Hiring Unit: Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC)
Hiring Division: Legal Office (LEG)
Supervisor Role: Legal Officer
Working arrangement: In person
Duration of assignment: 12 Months
Expected Starting Date: 7/9/2026
Under the direct supervision of the Legal Officer the Fellow will:
Carry out research and provide advice on matters in the fields of commercial law public international law or administrative law.
Prepare legal opinions reports memoranda and correspondence on matters falling within the above fields as well as material for discussion at the Executive Board or required for meetings convened or serviced by WFP.
Review the legal aspects of draft letters of agreement memoranda of understanding commercial contracts and other texts referred to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch for review or clearance.
Draft bilateral agreements contracts and resolutions and study legal questions arising out of the interpretation or application of conventions and agreements.
Provide legal interpretations on issues regarding the WFP General Regulations Financial Regulations Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board and other basic texts.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Be a Masters student or a graduate in a law programme from a recognized university;
Excellent written and spoken English is required (proficiency/level C). Working knowledge of another official UN language (French Spanish Arabic Chinese Russian plus Portuguese) is an asset.
Entry-level profile with exposure to or interest in legal research review analysis and drafting. Previous legal experience in a law firm in-house or in the legal office of another international organisation is preferred but not required.
Understands WFPs strategic objectives and the link to the individuals
work objectives.
Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors.
Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFPs mission.
Sets daily tasks that align with WFPs overall operations.
Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness and includes these in conversations on the individuals professional development goals.
Participates in open dialogue and values the diverse opinion of others regardless of background culture experience or country assignment.
Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence and develop and improve individual skills.
Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.
Throughout the assignment selected candidates have access to an industry leading learning platform weLearn. Depending on opportunities and availability of funds he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars as appropriate.
At the end of the assignment the selected candidate should have improved skills in legal analysis; legal drafting (including expository advocacy and contract drafting); and interpersonal skills required for working in a dynamic legal office dealing with in-house clients and operating in a large UN organisation.
This opportunity is particularly well-suited for students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in an international organization. It offers valuable exposure to WFPs operations and the chance to contribute meaningfully to its mission.
The selected candidate will receive IT equipment and training material; however financial compensation and medical coverage are not provided by WFP. Applicants may seek alternative funding opportunities such as university grants or external scholarships to support their assignment.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application processing training interviewing testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems logos names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email LinkedIn or any other channel.
We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete and that all sections are filled in including your employment history academic qualifications language skills and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.
If you experience technical issues while submitting your application you may contact us at . Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
At the application stage the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport certificates recommendation letters etc.) may be requested later in the process.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
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.
About Company
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest an ... View more
