Back Legal Officer

Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

FAO 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 in the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

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.

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

• Reviews a wide range of multidisciplinary and complex legal matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law, including interpretation and application of instruments (both substantive and procedural).
• Provides legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to administration and management, institution support, procurement, contracts and other operational matters.
• Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence; provides legal advice to the Member Nations.
• Reviews and advises on and drafts complex contracts, agreements, institutional and operational modalities, or legal pleadings/submissions and other legal documents; develops new legal modalities to meet unique needs/circumstances.
• Advises on and participates in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, recommends legal course of action/approach, legal text for terms and conditions of contracts, etc.
• Serves on various standing boards, committees, ad hoc working groups and task forces, as required; promotes the work of LEG and represents the organization in meetings, conferences, seminars, etc.

  Specific Functions

  • Provides 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.
  • Provides 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.
  • Provides 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.
  • 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.
  • Supervises and guides junior staff and consultants and reviews their work in this context.

    
    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 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.
    • Seven 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 international law, law of international organizations and/or international administrative law.
        • Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of French or Spanish is desirable.
        • Extent and relevance of experience in litigation and in alternative settlement of disputes.
        • Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
        • Ability to write clear and concise reports and experience in drafting legal texts (legislative and regulatory instruments).