Young Professional Officer (Legal)

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.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• 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).

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in legal and institutional aspects of sustainable food and agriculture and utilization of natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, forestry, wildlife, environment and biodiversity), and related cross-sectoral issues such as climate change and gender equality, is an advantage.
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports. Experience in drafting legal texts is an advantage.
• Extent and relevance of experience or familiarity in implementation of international normative and voluntary instruments and best practice including through policy and legislation.
• Work experience, internship or training attachment with international organizations, government, academia or non-governmental organizations is considered a strong asset.
•  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.