Legal Officer P3, LEGC, Private Law Team (2 positions)
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. The Legal Office provides essential support to ensure WFP's activities comply with legal frameworks and manage associated risks. This role is within the Private Law Team of the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch at WFP Headquarters in Rome.
Job Purpose
The Legal Officer (P3) will provide comprehensive legal services within the Private Law Team, focusing on WFP's engagement with private sector partnerships, resource mobilization, technology, data protection, intellectual property, and financial services. This role involves extensive legal research and analysis, drafting and reviewing complex legal documents such as agreements and contracts, and providing timely legal advice to various WFP units. The incumbent will identify and manage legal risks, support dispute resolution processes, and contribute to the development of legal norms and guidelines. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, international environment to support the efficient and effective implementation of WFP's global programmes.
Responsibilities
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity. WFP utilizes food assistance to aid populations recovering from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather. The organization emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of their background. WFP is committed to the personal and professional development of its employees, offering training, coaching, mentorship, and internal mobility. A career at WFP provides opportunities to work globally with passionate colleagues, contributing to humanitarian efforts that reach millions. The Legal Office plays a crucial role in ensuring WFP's activities comply with legal frameworks and managing legal risks. Specifically, the Private Law Team within the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch advises on private-sector partnerships, resource mobilization, technology, data protection, intellectual property, cash-based transfers, financial services, treasury operations, investments, and other commercial matters. This involves developing norms, guidelines, and ensuring efficiency and risk management across WFP's decentralized operations. Legal Officers are responsible for extensive legal research, drafting agreements, providing legal advice on WFP regulations and policies, managing legal risks, and supporting dispute resolution processes. They also contribute to legal training and represent WFP in various forums, fostering collaboration within the UN system and with external partners.
Work Experience
The role requires at least five years of progressively responsible legal experience, with a minimum of three years in an international context. Experience in areas such as private-sector partnerships, technology transactions, data protection, intellectual property, and financial transactions is considered an asset. Candidates must be qualified to practice law and possess strong legal research, drafting, and negotiation skills. Fluency in English and intermediate knowledge of another UN official language are also required.
Skills
Legal Research and Analysis, Legal Document Drafting, Legal Advice and Interpretation, Contract Negotiation and Drafting, Risk Management, Dispute Resolution, Legal Training and Knowledge Sharing, Teamwork and Collaboration, Communication Skills, Problem-Solving, Negotiation Skills, Strategic Thinking, Ethics and Values, Attention to Detail, Time Management, Cross-cultural Competence