Legal Consultant

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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:  and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

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).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

This position is located in the Legal Office (LEG) of the World Food Programme's Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Legal Consultant will be assigned to the Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA), which provides legal services on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its personnel.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision and guidance of a Senior Legal Officer and working in close consultation with the other Legal Officers in the team, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties, with a focus on matters relating to the legal status, rights and obligations of WFP and its employees:

• Independently handle a wide range of multi-discipline and highly complex legal matters including interpretation and application of various legal instruments to ensure the provision of comprehensive legal services;
• Contribute to the determination of strategy and approach to legal matters involving WFP and its personnel, to ensure the provision of solid recommendations and cohesive legal services;
• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, and review or prepare complex legal documents to enable the provision of comprehensive legal services;
• Provide legal advice on diverse and complex procedural and substantive legal questions, and develop new legal modalities to meet unique client requirements;
• Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes involving WFP and its personnel, including through representation in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration, to ensure WFP's position is properly explained and defended;
• Facilitate increased awareness of potential liability exposure and proactive minimization of risk to enable well-informed decisions; and
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in law or university degree in law with relevant experience and advanced training in private, commercial, or public law.

Qualified to practice law or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or equivalent experience of professional legal practice.

Practical knowledge of international administrative and employment law including the UN system regulatory framework and tribunal procedures is desirable.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant progressively responsible experience as a lawyer.

Prior litigation experience in administrative or employment law, and experience in an international context are desirable.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Advanced legal research and analysis skills.
• Ability to draft complex legal documents that are clear, concise and adapted to context.
• Solid communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management and priorities management skills.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently.
• Strong business acumen and ability to think strategically.
• Tact and high degree of discretion and confidentiality.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required and in oral and written French and/or Spanish is an advantage. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, and Russian) is an asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

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.