Legal Specialist

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 for Sustainable Development. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and delivering technical assistance while adhering to international standards of accountability.

Job Overview:
The Legal Specialist will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, which aims to strengthen policy and legal frameworks for sustainable wildlife management and related agri-food systems in Nepal. The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support services to ensure the successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate. This includes conducting legal analyses, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and drafting recommendations for legal reform. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying gaps in existing legal frameworks and proposing targeted interventions to enhance sustainable wildlife management practices. The Legal Specialist will also support the organization of workshops and meetings to validate findings and engage with government partners on future policy reforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the preparation of a stakeholder map and leading multi-stakeholder meetings/workshops focused on sustainable wildlife management and related agri-food systems in Nepal.
• Assisting in shaping the agenda and documenting key discussion points during these meetings.
• Conducting a comprehensive desk review of existing studies and analyses related to the national legal and institutional framework over the past decade.
• Coordinating and exchanging information with key stakeholders, organizing bilateral meetings, and documenting contextual details.
• Identifying and collecting existing policies and legislation relevant to sustainable wildlife management.
• Utilizing the SWM Legal team's methodology to fill in data entry backends and develop summaries on the enabling legal and regulatory framework.
• Organizing and facilitating validation workshops with stakeholders to review and validate legal analysis results.
• Supporting discussions with government partners regarding future policy reform processes.
• Conducting desk reviews of customary norms and practices for sustainable wildlife management in Nepal and organizing validation workshops. 1
• Drafting a structured analytical note summarizing findings, including customary norms and recommendations for strengthening these practices within the legal framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, or Ecology. A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in wildlife management, conservation biology, or natural resource management is required. Alternatively, a Master’s Degree with 5 years of experience may also be considered. Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and Nepali languages and must be nationals of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, or Ecology. A higher degree, such as a Master’s, is preferred and can substitute for some years of experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in wildlife management, conservation biology, or natural resource management. Those with a Master’s degree may qualify with 5 years of experience. Experience working with government ministries and departments, particularly the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Nepali is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills in both languages are essential for effective stakeholder engagement and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and local communities. The role may require travel within Nepal to facilitate workshops and meetings. The FAO offers a collaborative work environment that values teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards.