Legal Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization employs thousands of professionals across various fields, including agriculture, nutrition, and environmental sustainability, to fulfill its mission.

Job Overview:
The Legal Officer position is situated within the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. This role is pivotal in providing authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, various units within the organization, and its Governing and Statutory Bodies. The Legal Officer will engage in public law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, international administrative law, and contract law, ensuring that the organization operates within its constitutional and legal framework. The position requires a proactive approach to legal research and analysis, as well as the ability to draft and review legal documents, agreements, and contracts. The Legal Officer will also assist in servicing meetings of governing bodies and contribute to the preparation of legal opinions and background materials for various legal matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Officer will be responsible for assisting senior legal officers in preparing and providing legal advice on various issues, particularly those related to public international law and international administrative law. Key responsibilities include conducting legal research and analysis on questions related to international treaties and the law of international organizations, reviewing and drafting legal opinions, agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. The officer will also assist in servicing meetings of Governing and Statutory Bodies, preparing necessary documentation, and consulting with counterparts in other UN agencies. Specific functions include preparing legal advice on FAO's operations, addressing questions related to privileges and immunities, advising on complex contractual arrangements, and handling legal aspects of human resources matters, including appeals and disciplinary processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law (Master’s degree or equivalent). Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law combined with two years of relevant work experience and completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national jurisdiction may be accepted. A minimum of three years of relevant legal experience in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law, and contract law is required. Proficiency in English and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in law, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree in law, they must also have two additional years of relevant work experience and have completed the necessary qualifications to practice law in a national jurisdiction. This educational background ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in legal principles and practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of relevant legal experience, particularly in areas such as public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law, and contract law. Experience in providing legal advice in an international setting is preferred, as is work experience in multiple locations or areas of work, especially in field positions. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of legal issues that may arise in an international context.

Languages:
A working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language, which could be Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish. Proficiency in an additional FAO official language is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the position.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Rome, Italy, at the FAO headquarters. It is essential for candidates to be aware that the role may involve working in a multicultural environment and requires strong communication and teamwork skills. The position is full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications, experience, and competencies relevant to the role. The FAO offers a competitive compensation package and various benefits, including opportunities for professional development and international collaboration.