Legal Officer P2
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill the position of Legal Officer at the P2 level based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The Legal Officer P2 in the Administration & Employment Law Branch (LEGA) is responsible for administrative matters and matters arising in connection with WFP’s personnel.
Under the general supervision of a senior Legal Officer, LEGA, the Legal Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Carry out research and provide advice on a variety of legal issues.
• Prepare legal opinions, reports, memoranda and correspondence.
• Draft a variety of legal documents, including legal motions/submissions, manuals, policies, agreements, contracts and resolutions, and study legal questions arising out of the interpretation or application of relevant rules, policies, conventions and agreements.
• Review legal issues arising in connection with a variety of legal documents, including agreements, memoranda of understanding, commercial contracts, insurance contracts and other texts.
• Provide legal interpretations on a full range of issues regarding WFP’s various internal Regulations, Rules and Policies, including the General Regulations, Financial Regulations, Rules of Procedure of the Executive Board, Staff Rules and Regulations and other basic texts.
• Consider the application of Regulations, Rules and procedures relevant to the internal justice system and other relevant aspects of human resources management, including disciplinary matters, privileges and immunities, rights and obligations of staff, legal status of staff and their dependents, financial recovery, taxation and insurance issues.
• Perform other related duties, as required.
Qualifications & Experience Required
Education:
• Advanced university degree in the discipline of law or university degree in the discipline of law with experience and advanced training in both private commercial and public international law;
• Candidate must be qualified to practice law or admitted to practice by a recognized national or state bar or law society.
Experience:
• At least 3 years of postgraduate, progressively responsible experience as a legal advisor/officer, with a law firm or private-sector institution in international transactions and/or in an international organization (preferably the UN or a UN system organization);
• Recent practicing experience is required;
• Experience as a litigator or in dispute resolution is an asset.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
• Sound knowledge of legal issues relevant to public international law, international commercial and contract law;
• Timely and thorough research into and written analysis of a variety of legal issues;
• Strong research and writing skills at the P2 level;
• Specialized expertise in preparing legal advice which is easily accessible to staff members not trained in the field of law.
Competencies:
• Creative thinking and problem-solving approach;
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, communications and presentational skills;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision under own initiative;
• Tact and persuasiveness;
• Ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to conceptualize issues and analyse data;
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
Language:
• Written and oral proficiency (level C) in English and intermediate knowledge (Level B) of another UN official language (Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian or Chinese) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is essential;
Non-Rotational Nature
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.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org
Deadline for applications: 30 October 2015
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
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.
REF: 15-0018352
Fighting Hunger Worldwide
HOW TO APPLY:
Application Procedures:
Step 1: Register and create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
