Back Legal Officer P3

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS4 November 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 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 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).

  ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

  The Legal Office is organized into three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

  • The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees;
  • The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, and communications; and
  • The Maritime, Transport, and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including Procurement (Food, Goods & Services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage, and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

    WFP is seeking to fill Legal Officer P3 position in LEGA, based in our headquarters in Rome, Italy. This selection process may be used to fill other positions in LEG (other branches).

    While LEGA will be the base branch for these Legal Officer P3 position, please note that the Legal Office is adopting a pooled service arrangement for posts at this level aimed at promoting inter-branch engagement and expanding staff knowledge and skills. This includes an expectation to undertake up to 50% of work on matters pertaining to the other branches of the Legal Office.

    JOB PURPOSE

    In consultation with senior Legal Officers, handle a range of legal services including interpretation and application of various constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing WFP activities and operations.

    KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

    • Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, handle a wide range of multi-disciplinary complex legal matters including interpretation and application of various legal instruments to facilitate comprehensive legal services.
    • Review legal documents, identify important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, and present findings for internal review to facilitate the decision-making process.
    • Prepare or assist in preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of legal issues, background papers, studies, memoranda, reports and other legal documents.
    • Prepare and/or review agreements and contracts with public and private entities including participation in negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes to meet unique client needs.
    • Identify potential liabilities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties, and assist in the management of risks in WFP’s activities to facilitate well-informed decisions.
    • Prepare and assess briefs of evidence and draw recommendations to facilitate legal analysis and solutions.
    • Provide legal advice and interpretation in reviewing administrative decisions including preparing legal briefs and representing WFP in tribunals or administrative proceedings.
    • Service and/or assist senior Legal Officers in servicing committees, task forces, expert working groups and other bodies with legal advice and preparation or review of legal documents to facilitate the formulation of WFP’s position.
    • Other as required.

      QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

      EDUCATION:

      • Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public law.
      • Must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or have equivalent professional legal practice experience.

        EXPERIENCE:

        • At least 5 years (of which 3 years is in an international context) of relevant progressively responsible experience providing a wide range of legal services.
        • Prior experience in litigation is an asset.

          LANGUAGE:

          • Fluency (level C) in the English language.
          • Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (A WFP’s working language).

            MORE ABOUT YOU

            You have:

            • Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts, procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents.
            • Knowledge of various legal research sources, techniques and ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments and draft legal papers.
            • Knowledge of tribunal processes and procedures.
            • Business acumen.
            • Strong time management skills.
            • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

              • This is an International Professional position (non-rotational) and is open to all nationalities.
              • Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as \"non-rotational\" which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
              • WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
              • The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

                WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

                📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

                ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

                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

                • 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.

                • Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

                • 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

                • Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

                • 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.