Young Professional Officer (Legal), Rome

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Roma; On-site; EUR 63,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Office (LEG) at FAO in Rome seeks a Young Professional Officer (Legal) to provide support in development law, including legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and natural resource management. The role involves legal research, drafting, and collaboration with FAO units to advance sustainable agricultural governance.

The position requires an advanced law degree and at least one year of relevant experience, plus proficiency in English and knowledge of another FAO official

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law.

Responsibilities

• Performs legal research and analysis, supports in the review and preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of multidisciplinary legal matters related to development law and the legal and institutional aspects of food, agriculture, and natural resource management.
• Supports the drafting of recommended texts of laws, regulations and other legal instruments, legal opinions, briefs, reports, correspondence, as well as studies, publications and other legal documents.
• Contributes to LEGN’s support of the work of relevant Strategic Programme Teams, Technical Units at FAO Headquarters and FAO Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between legal, policy and governance-related work in support of Members.
• Assists in the preparation of teaching materials and seminars, symposia, webinars and lectures.
• Assists with the management of publications and other communication materials, including web pages.
• Provides legal support in the delivery of legal activities, services and products pertaining to the Organization’s mandate in support of the FAO Strategic Objectives, Regional Initiatives, and related Delivery Mechanisms, including alignment with the Organization’s Policy on Gender Equality.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legal research

Documentation

Education

Master’s degree in Law

Job description

Job Description

2602215

Job Posting

28/Oct/2026

Closure Date

18/Nov/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : Legal Office, LEG

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2008771

CCOG Code : 1A21

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• • FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• • Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• • FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production , better nutrition , a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Legal Office (LEG) provides authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, units in Headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and Members of the Organization. The position is located in the Development Law Branch (LEGN) of LEG which provides legal advisory services to governments on sustainable food and agriculture and utilization of natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife, environment and biodiversity), as well as general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform). LEGN conducts legal analyses and disseminates information on matters relevant to FAO's mandate and houses FAOLEX one of the world's largest database on laws concerning food, agriculture and natural resources.

The position is located in the Legal Office (LEG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Legal) reports to the designated Legal Officer under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer (Chief, LEGN) and is under the overall guidance of the Legal Counsel.

Technical Focus

The Young Professional Officer (Legal) will provide support in development law, including legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and natural resource management, in line with the Organization's Strategic Objectives.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• • Analyses from a legal perspective relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.
• • Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.
• • Provides technical support to various projects.
• • Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• • Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• • Performs legal research and analysis, supports in the review and preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of multidisciplinary legal matters related to development law and the legal and institutional aspects of food, agriculture, and natural resource management.
• • Supports the drafting of recommended texts of laws, regulations and other legal instruments, legal opinions, briefs, reports, correspondence, as well as studies, publications and other legal documents.
• • Contributes to LEGN’s support of the work of relevant Strategic Programme Teams, Technical Units at FAO Headquarters and FAO Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between legal, policy and governance-related work in support of Members.
• • Assists in the preparation of teaching materials and seminars, symposia, webinars and lectures.
• • Assists with the management of publications and other communication materials, including web pages.
• • Provides legal support in the delivery of legal activities, services and products pertaining to the Organization’s mandate in support of the FAO Strategic Objectives, Regional Initiatives, and related Delivery Mechanisms, including alignment with the Organization’s Policy on Gender Equality.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law.
• One year of relevant experience in legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and/or natural resources including land, water, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, wildlife and/or environmental law.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

• Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.
• The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• •Dependency allowances
• •Rental subsidy
• •Education grant for children
• •Home leave travel
• •30 working days of annual leave per year
• •Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• •International health insurance; optional life insurance
• •Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplaceculture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce.FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• •elements of family-friendly policies
• •flexible working arrangements
• •standards of conduct.

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