FAO General Legal Affairs Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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 Legal Office of FAO (LEG) plays a crucial role in ensuring that the organization's activities are conducted in accordance with its Constitution and other foundational texts, maintaining sound legal relationships with governments and other entities.

Job Overview:
The FAO General Legal Affairs Specialist position is designed for legal experts who will provide essential legal advice and support to various departments within the organization. The role is critical in ensuring that FAO's operations comply with law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law and the organization's internal regulations. The selected candidates will be included in a roster for short-term assignments, which may vary in length from a few days to a maximum of 11 months, depending on the needs of the organization. The assignments may be based at FAO's headquarters in Rome or conducted remotely. The Legal Specialist will work under the guidance of the Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel, directly supervised by the Senior Legal Officer and other Legal Officers as necessary. The position requires a strong focus on public international law and the law of international organizations, particularly in relation to international administrative law.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the FAO General Legal Affairs Specialist will be defined in the Terms of Reference for each specific assignment. Generally, the role will involve providing legal advice to units within Headquarters and FAO Decentralized Offices on various legal matters. Key responsibilities include: advising on contribution agreements, project agreements, and other instruments related to donor funding and project implementation; handling contracts and procurement matters, including litigation and settlements; drafting memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments for cooperation with various partners; supporting the negotiation of host country agreements; managing litigation involving the organization; and interpreting legal and procedural instruments governing FAO's Governing Bodies. The role may also involve providing legal support for digital innovation and information technology initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law combined with two years of relevant work experience and completion of professional qualifications to practice law in a national jurisdiction may be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have between one to ten years of relevant legal experience, depending on the category of the position applied for. This experience should encompass public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law, and contract law. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory, and familiarity with other official languages of the FAO is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in law. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree in law, they must also have completed professional qualifications to practice law in a national jurisdiction and possess additional relevant work experience. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of international law and the legal frameworks within which FAO operates.

Experience:
The level of experience required varies by category: Category C requires a minimum of one year of relevant experience; Category B requires a minimum of five years; and Category A requires a minimum of ten years of relevant legal experience. Candidates should have experience in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law, and contract law, with a strong emphasis on practical application in a legal context.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates who can provide legal support in two or more of the FAO's official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) will be given preference. A working or limited knowledge of one or more of these languages is highly desirable, as it enhances the ability to communicate effectively within the organization and with its partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is intended for short-term assignments, with the duration ranging from a few days to a maximum of 11 months, based on actual employment needs. The role may be full-time or part-time, depending on the specific assignment. Candidates should be aware that the recruitment process may consider international applicants, and the organization values diverse experiences, including work in multiple geographic locations. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and the specific terms of the assignment.