Legal Officer
Legal Officer
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Job Description
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
- Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
- FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment accreditation any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Dependency allowances
Rental subsidy
Education grant for children
Home leave travel
30 working days of annual leave per year
Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
International health insurance; optional life insurance
Disability protection
elements of family-friendly policies
flexible working arrangements
standards of conduct.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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 FAOs 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.
FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO 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.
Organizational Setting
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 part of the Office of 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 is located at FAO headquarters in Rome Italy in LEGs General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA). 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 (or another more senior Legal Officer as designated by the Legal Counsel).
Technical Focus
International law and law of international organizations including international administrative law.
Key Results
The provision of legal advice on questions pertaining to the Organizations mandate.
Key Functions
- Conducts extensive legal research and analyses 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 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 complaints lodged by staff members with the ILO (International Labour Organization) Administrative Tribunal and prepares the pleadings for the Organization.
- Participates as required in working groups meetings seminars and conferences.
- Performs other duties as required.
Specific Functions
- Under the supervision of a more senior Legal Officer prepares legal advice on matters linked to FAO Governing and Statutory Bodies prepares relevant documentation and consults with counterparts in other United Nations Specialized Agencies and other relevant entities as appropriate.
- Under the supervision of a more senior Legal Officer prepares legal advice on matters related to FAOs operations and status including on questions related to privileges and immunities of the Organization and that of its personnel as well as on the conclusion of host country agreements and operational arrangements.
- Under the supervision of a more senior Legal Officer prepares legal advice on a variety of issues arising from complex contractual arrangements including for the receipt of voluntary contributions as well as modalities for collaboration with a variety of partners including the private sector and the development of innovative modalities to promote FAOs operations and meet unique needs/circumstances supporting delivery of FAOs mandate as appropriate.
- Under the supervision of a more senior Legal Officer advises on the legal aspects of human resources related matters including on appeals filed within the internal justice system and the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization disciplinary processes policy review and clearance and other requests as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in law. A first level university degree in law combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Five years of relevant legal experience in public international law law of international organizations international administrative law and contract law.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) 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 law of international organizations international administrative law and contract law preferably gained in an international setting.
- Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
- Extent and relevance of experience in drafting reviewing and advising on legal matters involving considerable complexity including supporting negotiations and advising on litigation.
- Extent and relevance of experience in the provision of legal advice on questions pertaining to the operation of FAO its Governing and Statutory bodies and its Members or in other UN System organizations.
- Admission to practice in a national jurisdiction is an advantage.
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of another FAO official language (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish) is an advantage.
To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work character education military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications assessment tests background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries please create a one-time registration with FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
