General Legal Affairs Specialist

Organizational Context

The Legal Office (LEG) ensures FAO's activities align with its Constitution and basic texts, maintaining sound legal relationships. The General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA) advises FAO departments, offices, and Governing Bodies on legal matters, including constitutional questions, international treaties, host government relations, and personnel law. LEGA also represents FAO in judicial proceedings and dispute settlements, particularly in administrative tribunal appeals. This call seeks qualified experts for short-term assignments (up to 11 months) with LEGA, based in Rome or home-based, to be included on a roster.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide expert legal advice and support to various FAO units, both at Headquarters and in Decentralized Offices. Specialists will ensure that the Organization's operations adhere to its regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, consistent with its status as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations System. The assignments will primarily focus on public international law, the law of international organizations, and international administrative law. This includes offering guidance on legal matters related to contribution agreements, project implementation, contracts, procurement, intellectual property, institutional cooperation, private sector engagements, digital innovation, host country agreements, and litigation.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for each selected Legal Specialist will be detailed in the specific assignment's Terms of Reference. Typically, assignments involve providing legal advice to Headquarters units and FAO Decentralized Offices on operational matters, ensuring compliance with FAO’s regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, and its status as a UN Specialized Agency. Key areas of advice include: contribution and project agreements, particularly those involving donor funding and international financial institutions; contracts, procurement, intellectual property, and related dispute settlements; memoranda of understanding and other instruments for cooperation with diverse partners like governments, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, and the private sector; legal tools for private sector engagement and digital innovation; host country agreements, including negotiation and upholding privileges and immunities; litigation, especially concerning international administrative law; and interpreting legal instruments governing FAO’s Governing and Statutory Bodies.

Work Experience

A minimum of one to ten years of relevant legal experience is required, depending on the category (Category C: 1 year; Category B: 5 years; Category A: 10 years). This experience must be in public international law, the law of international organizations, international administrative law, and contract law.

Skills

Essential skills include Results Focus, Teamwork, Communication, Building Effective Relationships, and Knowledge Sharing. Candidates must demonstrate relevant experience in public international law, law of international organizations, and international administrative law. Significant work experience with the UN System or other intergovernmental organizations is crucial, particularly in drafting and negotiating contribution agreements, private sector arrangements, and matters related to information technology and digital innovation. Strong legal research and analytical abilities are required, alongside proven capacity to write clear, concise reports and draft various legal texts. Proficiency in providing legal support in two or more FAO official languages is a strong asset, with working knowledge of additional official languages being highly desirable.

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