Organizational Setting

The Legal Office of FAO (LEG) ensures that the activities of the Organization are carried out in accordance with the Constitution of FAO and the other Basic Texts of the Organization, in a manner consistent with its status as an inter-governmental organization of the United Nations system, and that its relationships with governments, organizations and individuals are on a sound legal basis.
The General Legal Affairs Service of the Legal Office (LEGA) provides advice to, and acts on behalf of, the Organization on legal matters. Specifically, it advises the Organization’s technical and administrative departments, regional, sub-regional and field offices, and its Governing Bodies, on legal matters, including constitutional questions, the drafting of international treaties, the legal aspects of relations with the host government, with other governments and with international organizations, as well as specific legal aspects of personnel matters, including the interpretation and application of the Organization’s internal rules and international administrative law. It represents FAO in judicial proceedings and in settlements of disputes and, in particular, in handling appeals cases before the competent administrative tribunals. It services the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM).
This call for expressions of interest is for the purpose of identifying suitably qualified experts to be included on the roster for consideration for short-term assignments with LEGA, ranging in length from a few days or weeks to a maximum of 11 months (on a when-actually-employed basis). This call is aimed at experts with various levels of experience. The experts would be located at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome (Italy) or home based. The assignments may cover a number of activities, or be dedicated to a specific issue or activity.
Applicants already included on the Legal Office roster should not reapply.

Reporting Lines

The Legal Specialist reports to the Legal Counsel, while day-to-day supervision is provided by the Senior Legal Officer (LEGA), and other Legal Officers, as appropriate.

Technical Focus 

Public international law and law of international organizations, including international administrative law.

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Legal Specialist will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. The assignments will normally include the delivery of advice to units within Headquarters and to the FAO Decentralized Offices on legal matters related to their operations in light of FAO’s regulations, rules, policies and procedures, as well as FAO’s status as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations System.
Normally, the assignments will cover the provision of legal advice related to one or more of the following:
•    contribution agreements, project agreements and other instruments related to donor funding and project implementation, including instruments with international financial institutions, development banks and agencies, and multilateral financing entities;
•    contracts, matters related to procurement of services from commercial and non-commercial service providers (including settlements or litigation concerning contractual matters), publications, intellectual property, etc.;
•    memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments establishing institutional and operational modalities for cooperation with a wide variety of partners (including Governments, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector);
•    instruments aimed at operationalizing, and managing engagements and partnerships with the private sector;
•    tools, instruments, and services that support digital innovation, information technologies and electronic processes.
•    host country agreements for FAO decentralized offices addressing the privileges and immunities of the Organization, including supporting negotiation of such agreements and upholding the provisions thereof;
•    international administrative law cases, including disciplinary processes;
•    appeals filed by staff members under the internal appeals processes and with the ILO Administrative Tribunal and drafting of the pleadings of the Organization;
•    The Governing Bodies and the Statutory Bodies of FAO and the interpretation or application of the legal and procedural instruments governing the operation of such Bodies.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in law. A first level university degree in Law combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
•    Between one to fifteen years of relevant legal experience (one year for Category C, five years for Category B, twelve years for Category A – Consultants, fifteen years for Category A – Personal Services Agreements Subscribers (PSA.SBS)) in public international law, law of international organizations, international administrative law and contract law.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in public international law, law of international organizations and/or international administrative law.
•    Extent and relevance of work experience with UN System or other intergovernmental organizations and, in particular, work experiences related to the drafting and negotiation of contribution agreements, arrangements with private sector entities, and information technology and digital innovation.
•    Extent of knowledge of different legal systems.
•    Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
•    Ability to write clear and concise reports and experience in drafting legal texts (legal opinions, pleadings, formal correspondence, documents for meetings of governing and statutory bodies).
•    Ability to provide effective legal support in more two or more official languages of the Organization will be a consideration.
•    Working knowledge of more than one FAO language is highly desirable.