Legal Officer – P2  

Are you an experienced legal advisor interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization that invests in its people?

If so, an exciting and fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving and changing millions of lives around the globe.
 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 31, 2024 (11:59 PM CET).

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using foodassistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment. 
• WFP invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities. 
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional, and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Legal Office is organized in three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees;
• The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions and communications; and
• The Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including Procurement (Food, Goods & Services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

WFP is seeking to fill a Legal Officer P2 position in LEGA, based in our headquarters in Rome, Italy and involved in:

• Providing legal support and advice on the development, interpretation and application of WFP’s employment framework.
• Providing legal support and advice on appropriate contractual modalities and conditions of service for deployment of personnel and technical expertise from private and public sectors.
• Advising on matters concerning conduct and discipline including at the investigation and disciplinary stages.
• Handling contentious matters arising in connection with WFP’s various contracts of employment, including the negotiation and settlement of claims, and the representation of WFP in legal actions brought before adjudicatory or other bodies.
• Advising on the privileges and immunities of WFP personnel.

While LEGA will be the base branch for this Legal Officer P2 position, please note that the Legal Office is adopting a pooled service arrangement for posts at this level aimed at promoting inter-branch engagement and expanding staff knowledge and skills. This includes an expectation to undertake up to 50% of work on matters pertaining to the other branches of the Legal Office. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the general supervision of a more senior Legal Officer in LEGA, the Legal Officer P2, LEGA will be responsible for the following duties and may supervise others carrying out these duties:

• Undertake legal research and analysis on legal issues of a substantive and procedural nature.
• Review a variety of legal documents, including agreements, memoranda of understanding and contracts in order to identify relevant legal issues and risks and to ensure compliance with the applicable legal framework and jurisprudence.
• Assist in preparing legal advice on the interpretation and application of WFP’s internal Regulations, Rules, Policies and Procedures as well as applicable conventions, resolutions and agreements.
• Draft legal documents including opinions, reports, memoranda, submissions, agreements and contracts.
• Provide legal support in representing WFP in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration.
• Assist in the preparation of the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes involving WFP and its personnel.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced university degree in law, or first university degree in law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial, or public law.
• Must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice by a recognized national or state bar or law society.
   

Experience: 

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience practicing law within a law firm, an international organization, a governmental service, or a company.
• Prior litigation and/or employment law experience are assets.

Languages: 

• Fluency in oral and written (Level C) English
• Intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to work autonomously with minimum supervision.
• Tact and a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts, procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents.
• Knowledge of various legal research sources, techniques and ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments and draft legal papers.
• Eloquent and concise thinking and drafting.
• Business acumen.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.
• Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.
• The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.
• The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language.
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter.
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time.
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost). 
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support. 
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.): 
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility. 
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​