Deputy General Counsel, D1

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

5 December 2024-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

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

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website:

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & 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 the 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 of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Legal Office’s mission is to provide legal support that helps WFP achieve its goals with high integrity – by facilitating compliance with applicable norms and protecting WFP's legal interests in a manner that is consistent with the organization's risk appetite and humanitarian mandate.

The Legal Office is currently organized in three branches that advise on legal matters arising in the various areas of WFP’s work:

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch provides legal advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees.
• The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch provides advice on legal aspects of WFP’s internal governance and status, fundraising, partnerships, private sector due diligence, external communications, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes and treasury functions.
• The Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch provides legal advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities and service provision activities, including procurement, maritime, aviation, inland transportation, storage and warehousing, and insurance.

This position reports directly to the General Counsel and Director, Legal Office.

JOB PURPOSE

The Deputy General Counsel will be expected to supervise the work of some or all areas of work of the Legal Office, under the overall authority of the General Counsel, with the competencies required to adapt to growth and evolution in the nature and distribution of responsibilities within the office.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Supports the General Counsel in providing strategic leadership to the Legal Office, bringing to bear strong technical legal capacity, sensitivity to the humanitarian, development and public international contexts in which WFP works, and strong people management skills.
• Has a leading role in the management of the Legal Office’s human and financial resources, working to ensure their alignment with WFP’s mandate and priorities.
• Provides legal advice to WFP senior managers and governing bodies, assuming direct responsibility for especially complex and sensitive matters as necessary.
• Leads in the development and deployment of standards, processes and templates, ensuring effective quality control.
• Promotes transparency and information flow to enhance collaboration among the branches of the Legal Office, overseeing knowledge management and systems development and promoting the professional development of team members.
• Builds relationships and collaborates cross-functionally with senior managers across WFP.
• Represents WFP in interactions with other UN legal offices and the broader humanitarian community, participating in meetings and international conferences.
• Acts as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the General Counsel as designated.
• Assumes other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Degree in Law (LLB, J.D., or equivalent). Has been admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society or is otherwise qualified to practice law.

Experience: At least 13 years of relevant professional experience in a law function within the public, private and/or not-for-profit sector.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Strong, independent but collaborative attitude and highest integrity.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Proven leadership and performance management experience.
• Relevant experience in international organizations including in the UN common system is considered an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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 in line with ICSC standards ( including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill analogous positions at the same level.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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 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.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.