Legal Consultant

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Legal Consultant (Level II) – up to 2 positions

Type of Contract: Regular Consultant

Division: LEG

Duty Station (City, Country): Remote working

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These positions are in the Legal Office (LEG) of the World Food Programme’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Legal Consultants will be assigned to the Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA), which provides legal services on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its personnel.

The Legal Consultants may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests.

The Legal Office is organized into three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees;
• The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) provides advice on legal aspects of WFP’s internal governance, public international law, partnerships with resource partners and other external parties, commercial law, including in connection with financial arrangements, general contractual law and operational legal issues; and
• The Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including Procurement (Food, Goods & Services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the direct supervision and guidance of LEGA’s Senior Legal Officer and working in close consultation with the other Legal Officers in the team, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties, with a focus on matters relating to the legal status, rights and obligations of WFP and its employees:

• Independently handle a wide range of multi-discipline and highly complex legal matters, including interpretation and application of various legal instruments to ensure the provision of comprehensive legal services;
• Contribute to the determination of strategy and approach to legal matters involving WFP and its personnel to ensure the provision of solid recommendations and cohesive legal services;
• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis and review or prepare complex legal documents to enable the provision of comprehensive legal services;
• Provide legal advice on diverse and complex procedural and substantive legal questions and develop new legal modalities to meet unique client requirements;
• Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes involving WFP and its personnel, including through support to WFP’s representation in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration, to ensure WFP’s position is properly explained and defended;
• Facilitate increased awareness of potential liability exposure and proactive minimization of risk to enable well-informed decisions; and
• Other as required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

At least five years of relevant progressively responsible experience as a lawyer.

Prior litigation experience in administrative or employment law, as well as experience in an international context, are desirable.

Work Experience:

Advanced university degree in law or law with relevant experience and advanced training in private, commercial, or public law.

Qualified to practice law or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or equivalent experience of professional legal practice.

Practical knowledge of international administrative and employment law, including the UN system regulatory framework and tribunal procedures, is desirable.

Knowledge Skills:

• Advanced legal research and analysis skills.
• Ability to draft complex legal documents that are clear, concise, and adapted to context.
• Solid communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management and priorities management skills.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently.
• Strong business acumen and ability to think strategically.
• Sound judgment, tact and discretion in handling confidential information.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 16 June 2024.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.