Legal Officer, P3

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Legal Officer, P3

WFP - World Food Programme

Rome, Italy

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the general supervision of a more senior Legal Officer in LEGA, each Legal Officer P3, LEGA will be responsible for the following duties and may supervise others carrying out these duties:

Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, handle a wide range of complex multi-disciplinary legal matters of a substantive and procedural nature, including interpretation and application of applicable legal instruments, to facilitate the provision of quality and timely legal services;
Review and draft a variety of legal documents, including agreements, memoranda of understanding and contracts, to identify relevant legal issues and risks and to ensure compliance with the applicable legal framework and jurisprudence;
Prepare legal advice on the interpretation and application of regulations, rules, policies and procedures applicable at WFP, as well as relevant conventions, resolutions and agreements;
Prepare legal opinions, reports, memoranda and other official correspondence;
Provide advice to country offices, regional bureaux, global offices, and headquarters’ units on a wide variety of legal issues;
Identify potential liabilities vis-à-vis employees and other parties, and assist in the management of risks in WFP’s activities, to contribute to well-informed decisions;
Prepare and assess briefs of evidence and draw recommendations to contribute to legal analysis and solutions;
Participate or assist the General Counsel and senior Legal Officers in (i) representing the organization at meetings, conferences and other events; and (ii) servicing internal and external boards, committees, task forces, expert working groups and other bodies with legal advice and preparation/review of legal documents to contribute to the formulation of WFP’s position;
Conduct/engage in dispute resolution, including liaising with external counsel or representing in administrative or tribunal proceedings and arbitration where appropriate;
Contribute to maintaining productive partnerships within the Legal Office team and with other Legal Offices across the UN system;
Contribute to the determination of strategy and approach to legal matters;
Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men;
Facilitate legal training sessions for other organizational units;
Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public law;
Must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or have equivalent professional legal practice experience.

EXPERIENCE:

At least 5 years (of which 3 years is in an international context) of relevant progressively responsible experience practicing law within a law firm, an international organization, a governmental service, or company;
Prior experience in litigation and/or employment law is an asset.

LANGUAGE:

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

MORE ABOUT YOU

You have:

Knowledge of and ability to apply legal principles, concepts, procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents;
Clear and concise thinking and drafting with attention to detail;
Strong negotiation skills and problem-solving approach;
Independent decision-making skill;
Business acumen and ability to think strategically;
High standards of ethics and values;
General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures;
A track record of delivering, both orally and in writing sound legal analysis based on detailed legal research and proper conceptualization of legal issues;
Capacity to develop a persuasive argumentation and legal strategy;
Skill in preparing timely documents in a clear, concise, and logical manner;
Ability to work harmoniously within a team and with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Willingness to act as a mentor or point of reference to junior colleagues;
Strong multi-tasking and time-management skills;
Proven communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills;
Adaptability and ability to work autonomously, with minimal guidance and supervision;
Ability to work with tact and a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.