Legal Officer, P3 - Rome, Italy

.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme 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.

Are you interested in providing legal advice to our Headquarters, Regional Bureaux, and Country Offices on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its +16,000 employees? Are you ready to change and save the lives of the world's most vulnerable people? If yes, this opportunity is for you.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a Legal Officerat a P-3 levellocated in the Legal Office (LEG) of the World Food Programme’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy. You 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. You may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the general supervision of senior Legal Officers, you 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:

1. Undertake extensive legal research and analysis on a wide range of complex legal issues of a substantive and procedural nature.
2. Review a variety of legal documents (including agreements, memoranda of understanding and contracts) in order to identify relevant legal issues and risks and to ensure compliance with the applicable legal framework and jurisprudence.
3. Deliver legal advice on the interpretation and application of various legal instruments (WFP’s internal Regulations, Rules, Policies and Procedures as well as applicable conventions, resolutions and agreements), in order to meet client needs.
4. Draft legal documents (including opinions, reports, memoranda, submissions, agreements and contracts) to contribute to coherence and quality of legal services.
5. Assist in representing WFP in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration.
6. Participate in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes involving WFP and its personnel.
7. Provide support to service various internal advisory bodies.
8. Contribute to building positive relationships with other Legal Offices across the UN system.
9. Other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Academic:

• You have an advanced university degree in law or a First university degree in law with relevant experience and advanced training in private, commercial or public law.
• You are qualified to practice law or admitted to practice by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or have substantial experience of professional legal practice.

Experience:

• You have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience practicing law within a law firm, an international organization, a governmental service or a company.
• You have a track record of delivering, both orally and in writing sound legal analysis based on detailed legal research and proper conceptualization of legal issues.
• You can develop a persuasive argumentation and legal strategy.
• You are skilled to prepare timely documents in a clear, concise and logical manner.
• Prior litigation experience and experience in an international context will be considered as a plus.

Language:

• Proficiency in oral and written English (proficiency/Level C).
• Intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another official WFP language i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or working language of Portuguese is highly desired.

Skills:

• You work optimally under pressure and within tight deadlines.
• You have a client-oriented approach based on proven problem-solving skills.
• You work harmoniously within a team and with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• You have strong planning, organization and time-management skills.
• You have proven communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• You have the adaptability and ability to work autonomously, with minimal guidance and supervision.
• You work with tact and a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract of two years, renewable, with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

January 3, 2021

.

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

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.