Legal Officer

Legal Officer (P-2, 2 Positions) at World Food Programme (WFP), Rome, Italy [Fixed-Term, Open to All Nationalities]

Offered by Legal Office, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Rome Deadline: 13 Oct 2026

Type

Full-time

Stipend

Paid (ICSC salary scale: basic salary plus post adjustment and benefits; amount not stated)

Duration

Fixed-term contract with a one-year probationary period

Location

Rome

Where

Abroad

Advanced university degree in law, or a…

Openings

2

About WFP and the Legal Office

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organisation and the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity.

WFP's Legal Office at its Headquarters in Rome is organised in three branches:

• Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA): advises management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees.
• Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC): internal governance, private sector contributions, commercial and contractual activities, cash-based transfer programmes, treasury and communications.
• Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM): supply chain activities, procurement, maritime, aviation, logistics, UN Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

About the Positions

WFP is seeking to fill two Legal Officer P-2 positions in LEGA, based at Headquarters in Rome, Italy (Job Requisition JR126995). The officers will contribute to legal advice and services supporting WFP offices globally, working under the guidance of more senior Legal Officers.

• Legal support and advice on the development, interpretation and application of WFP's employment framework.
• Advice on contractual modalities and conditions of service for deploying personnel and technical expertise from the private and public sectors.
• Conduct and discipline matters, including the investigation and disciplinary stages.
• Contentious employment matters, including negotiation and settlement of claims and representation of WFP before administrative tribunals and other adjudicatory bodies.
• Privileges and immunities of WFP personnel.

The Legal Office is adopting a pooled service arrangement at this level: the officers are expected to undertake up to 50% of their work on matters of the other branches (LEGC and LEGM).

Key Accountabilities

• Legal research and analysis on substantive and procedural issues.
• Review agreements, memoranda of understanding and contracts to identify legal issues and risks.
• Assist in preparing legal advice on WFP's Regulations, Rules, Policies and Procedures and applicable conventions, resolutions and agreements.
• Draft opinions, reports, memoranda, submissions, agreements and contracts.
• Support WFP's representation in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration, including litigation submissions.
• Assist in assessing disciplinary cases and appeals, and in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes involving WFP and its personnel.
• Identify legal risks and liabilities and help develop risk mitigation measures.
• Support senior Legal Officers in servicing committees, task forces and expert working groups.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Advanced university degree in law, or a first university degree in law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public law.
• Bar admission: Must be qualified to practise or admitted to practise by a recognised national or state bar or law society.
• Experience: At least three years of progressively responsible experience practising law within a law firm, an international organisation, a governmental service or a company. Prior litigation and/or employment law experience is an asset.
• Languages: Fluency in oral and written English, and intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Portuguese.

The vacancy also lists the ability to work autonomously, discretion and confidentiality, clear and persuasive legal drafting, business acumen, and strong organisational and communication skills.

Terms, Conditions and Pay

• International Professional positions (non-rotational), open to all nationalities and to both internal and external candidates.<