Legal Officer P4 - Rome, Italy

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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, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Are you a senior Legal Professional interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, July 17, 2022 (10:59 PM CET)

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This position is located in the Legal Office of the World Food Programme’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy, and the position will primarily address the following focus areas:

• Relations and agreements with external parties, such as public-sector donors, other UN agencies and international organizations, international financial institutions, NGOs, and cooperating partners;

• Legal aspects of the governance of WFP and the interpretation of WFP’s institutional legal framework, such as WFP General Regulations, General Rules, Financial Regulations and Financial Rules and other administrative issuances; and

• International law, including WFP’s institutional privileges and immunities and humanitarian law.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Senior Legal Officer, you will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Serve as a lead officer and independently handle a wide range of legal matters in the relevant areas of concentration;
• Contribute to the determination of strategy and approach to legal matters;
• Contribute to the development of the programme’s regulatory framework;
• Provide legal advice on a wide range of issues;
• Draft contract and other legal documents;
• Provide advice on liability exposure and risk mitigation; participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes with public and private entities;
• Undertake legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence;
• Develop new legal modalities within the framework of WFP’s normative guidelines;
• Provide legal support to various standing boards, committees, working groups and task forces and represent the organization at meetings, conferences and other events;
• Build productive partnerships with other Legal Offices across the UN system;
• Supervise, coach and build the capacity of other staff;
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men;
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training;
• Must be qualified to practice law or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least eight years of relevant progressively responsible experience as a lawyer working in a law firm or a private-sector legal department with international exposure or in an international organization on issues relevant to the aforementioned organizational context.
• Strong Experience in international public law is also desirable.
• Experience in advising on governance matters of international organizations or private sector companies is desirable.

LANGUAGE:

• Fluency (level C) in the English language.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (A WFP’s working language)

MORE ABOUT YOU

You have:

• Demonstrated ability to draft contracts ad-hoc that are appropriate to contractual counterparty and context;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to take independent decisions;
• Strong business acumen and ability to think strategically;
• Solid communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills;
• Strong time management and priorities management skills;
• Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures, is desirable.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork Applies Strategic Thinking Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position (non-rotational) and is open to all nationalities.
• Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as "non-rotational" which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
• The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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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.