Cooperative Legislation Specialist

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, specifically its Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, is implementing a project (TCP/RAB/4101) focused on rural transformation and inclusive value chains. This initiative aims to enhance small-scale farmer productivity and income, with a strong emphasis on youth employment and women's empowerment. The incumbent will contribute to strengthening cooperative-enabling regulatory and policy frameworks within the NENA region, developing knowledge products to support evidence-based dialogue and reform processes.

Job Purpose

This assignment provides crucial technical legal support to enhance legislative and regulatory frameworks for cooperatives in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, under Output 1 of TCP/RAB/4101. The role involves leading a comparative legal analysis of cooperative legislation across NENA countries, evaluating their alignment with international standards like ICA principles and ILO Recommendation No. 193. The analysis will specifically examine governance, registrar functions, and legal mechanisms for youth, women, and small-scale producer inclusion. Findings will inform country reports and a regional synthesis brief, identifying gaps and proposing reforms. The incumbent will also contribute to developing a regional guideline document with model clauses and self-assessment tools, alongside policy briefs on youth and gender inclusion, and training materials.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive comparative legal and regulatory research on cooperative legislation across NENA countries, assessing alignment with international standards such as ICA principles and ILO Recommendation No. 193. Prepare detailed country legal reports and a regional synthesis brief that identifies legislative and regulatory gaps, proposes reform options, and highlights best practices to inform dialogue and technical work. Perform a structured review of cooperative governance frameworks, registrar mandates, and practices to identify how youth, women, and small-scale producers are included or excluded, pinpointing gaps and actionable entry points for more inclusive legislation. Provide substantive legal input for a flagship regional guideline document on cooperative-enabling legal and policy frameworks, including drafting modular chapters, model clauses, and self-assessment tools in collaboration with the project team. Significantly contribute to thematic policy briefs on youth inclusion and gender-responsive cooperative reform, ensuring legal accuracy and consistency with international standards. Support the development of training and knowledge materials on cooperative legal frameworks, governance, and inclusive ecosystem building. Offer technical legal support for programme activities, including participation in regional and country-level discussions, workshops, and peer-learning exchanges. Coordinate closely with the RNE Cooperative Development Expert, LEGN Legal Officer, and other relevant staff to ensure coherence across legal analysis, knowledge products, and capacity development.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in cooperative law and/or the cooperative sector is required. Experience working in at least one country within the NENA region is also necessary. Familiarity with rural development and agrifood system transformation is beneficial.

Skills

Key competencies include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement. Essential technical skills involve extensive experience in cooperative law and regulations, and familiarity with rural development and agrifood system transformation. Experience in international law, business law, agricultural, or rural development is an asset. Proficiency in English and Arabic is mandatory; knowledge of French is considered an asset.

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