Legal Officer

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 LEG’s 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 Organization's 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 FAO's 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 FAO's operations and meet unique needs/circumstances supporting delivery of FAO's 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.

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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.