DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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 world’s 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 WFP's 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: https://www.wfp.org and 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).

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).

Working in LEG, the Legal Consultant will primarily provide legal advice and support to the School Meals Accelerator, a new initiative hosted by WFP. The School Meals Accelerator will be launched in 2026 to support low- and lower-middle-income countries in scaling up and strengthening their national school meal programs.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer and/or Legal Officer, and in close coordination with the School Meals Accelerator team (including the Director), the Legal Consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Draft and negotiate contribution agreements with governments, private sector partners and others donors to the School Meals Accelerator. Draft and negotiate agreements with recipients of resource transfers from the School Meals Accelerator, including research and academic institutions and NGOs. Assist with contractual interpretation and disputes to meet unique client needs.

• Prepare or assist in preparation of legal opinions or advice on a wide range of legal issues in connection with the School Meals Accelerator; prepare governance-related documentation, background papers, memoranda, reports and other legal documents, as required. 

• Advise on personnel-related matters in the context of the School Meals Accelerator.

• Participate in meetings/workshops and processes led by the School Meals Accelerator team that require legal advice and support, including but not limited to the design of the resource transfer mechanism.

• 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.

• Identify potential liabilities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties, and assist in the management of risks in WFP’s activities, including the activities of the School Meals Accelerator, to facilitate well-informed decisions.

• Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes with public and private entities.

• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.

• Other, as required

RESULTS EXPECTED:

Articulate and concise thinking and drafting. Comprehensive research. Timely preparation of sound written analysis of and advice on a variety of legal issues pertaining to international, contract, commercial and constitutional law, including: development of governance-related documentation required for the School Meals Accelerator’s Governance Committee, finalization of contract templates required for the functioning of the School Meals Accelerator and finalization of agreements required for the first year of School Meals Accelerator’s operations. Application of specialized expertise in preparing legal advice, which is easily understandable to colleagues and counterparts not trained in the field of law. Development of new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area. Demonstrated ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law.

Experience:

At least seven years of relevant professional experience as a lawyer in a law firm, in a private-sector legal department with international exposure or in an international organisation.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Technical knowledge of, and experience in, contracts law and demonstrated ability to draft contracts ad-hoc that are appropriate to contractual counterparties 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 a plus.

Languages:

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

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS     
The deadline for applications is the 1st of March 2026.

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:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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 recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.

• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.

• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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.