Legal Consultant for Geographical Indications

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability. They advocate for policies, provide technical assistance, and mobilize resources to support agrifood systems transformation, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of better production, nutrition, environment, and life.

Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant for Geographical Indications (GI) is critical in supporting the Government of Malawi in developing and operationalizing a national GI system. The consultant will work under the supervision of the FAO Representative for Malawi and the CTA of the EbAM Project, with technical guidance from international legal experts. The primary focus will be on reviewing and validating the national GI legal framework, facilitating national dialogue among stakeholders, and developing legal templates for GI Inter-Professional Associations. The consultant will also be responsible for creating roadmaps for implementing the GI legal framework and providing legal support for the registration of pilot GI initiatives. This role requires a deep understanding of legal drafting standards and the ability to coordinate effectively with various governmental and institutional stakeholders to ensure compliance with international GI agreements and standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including organizing regular update calls with the project team to keep all members informed of progress. For each deliverable, the consultant will submit drafts for legal and project clearance, incorporating feedback as necessary. The consultant will review and finalize reports and legal provisions, ensuring compliance with Malawi's legislative standards. Facilitating institutional dialogue with relevant authorities is crucial for the development of the GI system, and the consultant will monitor progress and prepare summary reports from these meetings. Legal advice will be provided on institutional roles and responsibilities for GI administration, and the consultant will develop model legal templates for GI Inter-Professional Associations. Additionally, the consultant will design and deliver capacity-building workshops on GI law and prepare documentation of best practices and lessons learned. A practical roadmap for the adoption and implementation of the GI legal framework will also be developed, along with guidance for the governance of GI Inter-Professional Associations. The consultant will provide legal support for the development and registration of pilot GI initiatives and perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Law from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in legal analysis and drafting, particularly in collaboration with government ministries on policy formulation and regulatory reform, is required. Candidates should also demonstrate a strong understanding of Malawi's legal landscape regarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and familiarity with GI systems and international legal standards.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Law is mandatory for this position. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree. The educational background should be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in legal principles and practices relevant to the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in legal analysis and legal drafting. Candidates should have experience working with government ministries, particularly in areas related to policy formulation, legal advice, or regulatory reform. This experience is essential to ensure that the consultant can effectively navigate the legal landscape and provide valuable insights and recommendations.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of the English language is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in English is crucial for effective communication, legal drafting, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify a deadline for applications, which may indicate that the position is open until filled. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be assessed based on their qualifications and experience in relation to the specific needs of the FAO and the Government of Malawi. The position may involve international collaboration, given FAO's global presence and the nature of the project.