National Legal Advisor

Organizational setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

Reporting Lines

The specialist for this function will be recruited under the project, based on FAO HR rules. Under the direct supervision of Programme/Operations Officer or BH and overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Armenia and under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Office (LTO) of the project.

Technical Focus

Provide legal advice and support of the land reform activities carried out by the Ministry of Economy and its subsidiary “The Centre of Agricultural Services” SNCO (hereinafter SNCO)

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist identification and negotiations with landowners in the selected intervention areas in view of acquisition of their agricultural land parcels by the SNCO, as well as conclusion of transactions between parties; • Assist landowners in the selected intervention areas to legally clear and formalize property rights for their agricultural land parcels, including inheritance, informal transactions, land tax debts, registration of rights, and other hampering land transactions; • Assist with the preparation of sale-purchase and exchange contracts, and other civil law agreements with agricultural land, in compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia; • Carry out the drafting and formulation of legal documents including letters, petitions, warnings, protocols, claims and their responses, other legal documents; • Make sure that the legal advice provided is within the context of the VGGT, in line with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and the proposed conceptual approach to address land abandonment through land management instruments; • Prepare monthly progress reports.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in law • 7 years of relevant experience with courts and civil law • Working knowledge of English • National of the Republic of Armenia or a resident with a legal work permit

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good analytical and communication skills