Legal Officer - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

PROFESSIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT N O : IRC2654

Issued on: 6 November 2014

Deadline For Application: 4 December 2014

POSITION TITLE: Legal Officer

GRADE LEVEL: P-3

DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Development Law Branch, LEGN, Legal and Ethics Office, LEG

DURATION : Fixed term: two years

POST NUMBER: 0012130

CCOG CODE: 1.G.02

Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Office of the Legal Counsel ensures that the Organization's activities are carried out in accordance with its Constitution and the other Basic Texts of the Organization, in a manner consistent with its status as an inter-governmental organization of the United Nations system, and that its relationships with governments, organizations and individuals are on a sound legal basis. The position, based in Addis Abeba (Ethiopia), is located in the Development Law Branch, LEGN which provides legal advisory services to governments on land, water, fisheries, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife and national parks and environment and biodiversity, as well as general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform) .

Reporting Lines

The Legal Officer reports to Senior Legal Officer, LEGN, and is under the direct guidance of an officer of LEGN.

Technical Focus

Development law including legal activities, research and related issues pertaining to the Organization's activities and mandate in relation to food and agriculture and management of renewable natural resources, with particular reference to the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security and the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Land Tenure, forestry and fisheries.

Key Results

The provision of legal advice on questions pertaining to the Organization's mandate

Key Functions

• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares studies in international, public, private, administrative and/or development law, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence;
• Undertakes extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts;
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of public international law, development law issues, involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, rule of law, international tribunals, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of FAO Governing Bodies;
• Participates, as required, in working groups, meetings, seminars and conferences;

Specific Functions

• Assists in advising Member Governments of the African Region in development law, in particular on the legal and institutional aspects of food and nutrition security and the management of agriculture and other renewable natural resources, including in supporting the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security and the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Land Tenure, forestry and fisheries;
• Contributes to the preparation and implementation of field projects in the above-mentioned areas of work in the African Region;
• Conducts advisory missions in connection with field projects in the above-mentioned areas of work, in particular in the African Region;
• Contributes to the provision of legal advice and relevant background information to FAO technical divisions on the above- mentioned fields of development law;
• Responds to requests for information on national and international law related to the above-mentioned areas of work, and relevant to the African Region;
• Contributes to the implementation of FAO's gender policy including through the above-mentioned areas of work.

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Law
• Five years of relevant legal experience in the field of food and agriculture, natural resources or development law
• Working knowledge of English and French

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 aspects of food and agriculture, in particular in relation to food and nutrition security, land tenure, forestry and fisheries
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and experience in drafting legal texts (legislative and regulatory instruments)
• Extent and relevance of experience in implementing technical assistance projects related to national legislation

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.
• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see 'How to Apply'). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
• Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, visit the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website: http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered. Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT