Legal Officer

WFP; Roma; In loco; EUR 90.000 - 120.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

The World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome seeks a Legal Officer (P4) to provide expert legal advice and services, protecting the organization's interests and minimizing liabilities. The role involves independent handling of complex legal matters and serving as a lead officer in specialized areas, including negotiations and dispute settlements.

You will develop policies, directives, and guidelines, conduct extensive legal research, and represent WFP at meetings and conferences.

Competenze

• An advanced university degree in Law is required.
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible legal experience, including three years internationally.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of another UN official language is required.

Mansioni

• Provide expert legal advice, services and representation to protect WFP's interests and minimize liabilities.
• Lead and independently manage complex, multi-disciplinary legal matters and supervise junior staff.
• Participate in negotiations, settlements, and representation in administrative/tribunal proceedings as needed.
• Develop policies, directives, and guidelines to establish appropriate regulatory frameworks.
• Conduct extensive legal research and prepare legal opinions; represent WFP at meetings and conferences.

Conoscenze

Legal Advice

Legal Research

Policy Development

Negotiation

Litigation

Tribunal Proceedings

Risk Management

Partnership Building

Supervision

Coaching

Capacity Building

International Administrative Law

Employment Law

UN System Regulatory Framework

Formazione

Advanced university degree in Law

First university degree in Law with relevant experience

Descrizione del lavoro

Organizational context: The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building peace through food assistance. This role is situated within the Legal Office at WFP's Global Headquarters in Rome, reporting to a Senior Legal Officer. The position operates with significant independence, handling complex and sensitive legal matters.

Job purpose: The Legal Officer P4 will provide expert legal advice, services, and representation to protect WFP's interests and minimize liabilities. This role involves independently managing a diverse range of complex legal issues, including the interpretation and application of legal instruments. The incumbent will serve as a lead officer in specialized legal areas, taking ownership and providing expert guidance. Key responsibilities include developing policies and procedures, participating in negotiations and dispute settlements, conducting legal research, and preparing legal opinions. The role also entails representing WFP in various forums, building partnerships with other legal offices, and supervising/mentoring junior staff to ensure efficient and comprehensive legal support across the organization.

Responsibilities: The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a legal professional to provide comprehensive legal advice and services, protecting the organization's interests and minimizing liabilities. This role involves acting as a lead officer in specialized legal areas, independently handling complex and multi-disciplinary legal matters, including the interpretation and application of various legal instruments. The position requires participation in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes, potentially involving representation in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration. A key responsibility is the development of policies, directives, and guidelines to establish an appropriate regulatory framework for the organization. The role also entails contributing to legal strategy, conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing legal opinions, and representing WFP at meetings and conferences. Facilitating awareness of potential liability exposure and proactive risk minimization is crucial. Furthermore, the incumbent will build partnerships with other UN legal offices, supervise and mentor other staff, and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace, ensuring all dimensions of WFP's diversity and inclusion framework are integrated. The position demands strong expertise in legal principles, research techniques, policy design, strategic thinking, and excellent communication and negotiation skills, with a practical knowledge of international administrative and employment law within the UN system.

Education: An advanced university degree in Law is required. Alternatively, a first university degree in Law combined with additional relevant experience and training in private, administrative, or employment law is acceptable. Applicants must be qualified to practice law by a recognized bar or law society.

Work experience: The role requires an advanced university degree in Law or a first university degree with additional relevant experience and training in private, administrative, or employment law. Candidates must be qualified to practice law. A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible legal experience, including three years internationally, is necessary. Prior litigation experience in administrative or employment law is essential. Fluency in English and intermediate knowledge of another UN official language are also required.

Skills: Legal Advice, Legal Research, Policy Development, Negotiation, Litigation, Tribunal Proceedings, Risk Management, Partnership Building, Supervision, Coaching, Capacity Building, International Administrative Law, Employment Law, UN System Regulatory Framework

Required languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese

Desired languages: English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese