Asesor Legal (enlace con MAGA)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger. WFP's vision for its workforce is one of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that teams are selected based on merit and operate in a healthy work environment that embodies the organization's values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities.

Job Overview:
The position of Asesor Legal (Legal Advisor) is crucial within the WFP, particularly in the context of its collaboration with the Government of Guatemala. The role requires a highly experienced legal professional who will provide comprehensive legal advice to the WFP and act as a strategic liaison with various state entities. The advisor will facilitate the negotiation, review, signing, and execution of cooperation agreements, lead initiatives for legal reforms, and oversee high-impact processes such as updating the Basic Agreement between WFP and the Guatemalan Government. This position is essential for ensuring compliance with national and international regulations and for enhancing the effectiveness of food assistance programs in Guatemala.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Asesor Legal will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Providing comprehensive legal advice in the drafting, reviewing, signing, and execution of framework agreements and specific agreements derived from them.
• Ensuring the formation and updating of administrative files in compliance with all applicable national regulations.
• Coordinating high-level technical meetings with state entities to drive strategic progress within the Country Strategic Plan.
• Leading the process of updating the Basic Agreement with the Government, including managing institutional opinions and follow-ups with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Advising on the analysis and drafting of technical proposals for reforms to the State Procurement Law (Decree 57-92), in collaboration with legal teams and consultants.
• Supervising the work of other legal consultants assigned to WFP projects.
• Acting as the legal focal point between WFP and state entities, ensuring compliance with all current regulations.
• Evaluating the legal viability of new cooperation agreements, including their alignment with strategic objectives and sectoral plans.
• Drafting and reviewing administrative contracts, inter-institutional agreements, and other binding legal instruments. 1
• Actively participating in budget planning processes and integrating legal frameworks into WFP actions. 1
• Providing ongoing legal advice on the execution of agreements and other cooperation instruments. 1
• Coordinating the preparation of compliance reports and documentation required for internal and external audits. 1
• Channeling legal responses to official communications received by WFP and drafting legal minutes. 1
• Collaborating closely with the Vice Ministry of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food in the formation of administrative files, monitoring the execution and regularization of signed agreements, and supporting responses to communications related to the execution of agreements.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Asesor Legal position must possess a university degree in Legal and Social Sciences and be an active member of the legal profession. Additionally, the candidate should have a minimum of 8 years of professional experience post-graduation, with at least 7 years in the public sector, particularly in inter-institutional negotiations, signing agreements with international organizations, and analyzing legal regulations. Proven experience in leading reform processes or providing regulatory advice at the national or institutional level is essential, as well as experience coordinating with state institutions on legality, procurement, and technical cooperation matters.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a university degree in Legal and Social Sciences. Active membership in the legal profession is required, indicating that the candidate is recognized and authorized to practice law within Guatemala.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of professional experience following their graduation. This experience must include at least 7 years in the public sector, with a focus on inter-institutional negotiations, signing agreements with international organizations, and analyzing legal regulations. Experience in leading reform processes or providing regulatory advice at the national or institutional level is also necessary, along with a proven track record of coordinating with state institutions on legal matters, procurement, and technical cooperation.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with government entities. Proficiency in English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and enhance the candidate's ability to engage in broader discussions and negotiations.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered under a Service Contract (SC) at level 8, with a duration of 12 months. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Supply Chain Officer. WFP emphasizes a commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization provides a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment, along with an attractive compensation package. WFP is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.