Legal Officer P3 - Private Law Team

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather shocks. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a diverse workforce and is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that reflects the communities it serves. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its commitment to humanitarian efforts and global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. The organization operates in multiple countries, providing a dynamic work environment with opportunities for international mobility and collaboration across various regional and global offices.

Job Overview:
The Legal Office at WFP is responsible for ensuring that the implementation of WFP’s activities complies with the relevant legal framework and that any legal risks are effectively managed. The Legal Office is currently seeking to fill two Legal Officer positions at the P3 level within the Private Law Team of the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC), based at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Private Law Team focuses on advising on private-sector partnerships, resource mobilization initiatives, technology, data protection, intellectual property, and financial service provider arrangements. The role of the Legal Officer will involve extensive legal research and analysis, handling complex legal matters, and providing timely and quality legal services to various WFP units. The selected candidates will work collaboratively with other branches of the Legal Office and contribute to the development of legal norms and guidelines, ensuring efficiency and compliance across WFP’s decentralized operations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to engage in a wide range of legal issues affecting WFP’s global operations and to contribute to the organization's mission of providing humanitarian assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The P3 Legal Officer will undertake extensive legal research and analysis, handling a variety of complex legal matters. Key responsibilities include reviewing and drafting legal documents such as agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts, while identifying legal issues and ensuring compliance with applicable legal frameworks. The officer will prepare legal advice on the interpretation and application of WFP’s General Regulations, General Rules, and other normative instruments. Additionally, the officer will provide legal interpretations to Country Offices and Regional Offices, prepare and review agreements with public and private entities, and assist in negotiations and settlements of claims and disputes. The role also involves identifying potential liabilities, managing legal risks, and contributing to the development of legal approaches and solutions. The Legal Officer will represent the Legal Office at meetings and conferences, contribute to legal training and knowledge-sharing activities, and perform other related duties as required by the Legal Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Law or a first university degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial, or public law. They must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or have equivalent professional legal practice experience. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in providing a broad range of legal services is required, with at least three years in an international context. Knowledge of public international law is desirable, and experience in private-sector partnerships, technology transactions, data protection, intellectual property, and financial transactions will be considered an asset. Strong negotiation skills, problem-solving abilities, and a track record of delivering sound legal analysis are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in Law. Alternatively, candidates with a first university degree in Law may be considered if they have additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial, or public law. It is essential that candidates are qualified to practice law or have equivalent professional legal practice experience, which may include being admitted to practice by a recognized national or state bar or law society.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of progressively responsible experience in providing a broad range of legal services. This experience should include at least three years in an international context, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex legal environments and provide effective legal support in a global setting. Candidates with experience in private-sector partnerships, technology transactions, data protection, intellectual property, and financial transactions will be highly regarded. The ability to lead negotiations and draft complex commercial agreements is also essential for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory, along with intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese. Proficiency in a WFP working language is advantageous and will enhance the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the organization and with external partners.

Additional Notes:
This is an International Professional position (non-rotational) open to all nationalities. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. Mobility is a core contractual requirement in WFP, but this position is classified as non-rotational, meaning the incumbent will not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified. The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy, to take up this assignment. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days of annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.