World Food Programme - Legal Officer, P4

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill a Legal Officer position at the P4 level, based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Senior Legal Officer theLegal Officer, P4 will be responsible for the following key duties:

•    Serve as a lead officer and handle legal matters in the relevant areas of concentration;
•    Contribute to determination of strategy and approach to legal matters;
•    Contribute to the development of the Organisation’s regulatory framework;
•    Provide legal advice on procedural questions, draft and negotiate contracts; 
•    Develop new legal modalities within the framework of WFP’s normative guidelines; in particular, the incumbent will participate, in a multi-disciplinary context, in the development of cash-based solutions, an expanding component of WFP’s food-assistance response;
•    Provide advice on liability exposure and risk mitigation; participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes with public and private entities;
•    Undertake legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and complex correspondence;
•    Provide legal support to various standing boards, committees, working groups and task forces and represent organization at meetings, conferences and other events;
•    Build productive partnerships with other Legal Offices across UN system;
•    Supervise, coach and build capacity of other staff;
•    Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men;
•    Other as required.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Education:
•    Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training;
•    Must be qualified to practice law or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society.

Experience:
•    At least eight years (three of which are international) of relevant progressively responsible experience as a lawyer in a law firm or in a private-sector institution or in an international organisation in the area of contract and commercial law;
•    Experience in financial transactions, public and/or private international law would be an asset.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:
•    Demonstrated ability to draft contracts ad-hoc that are appropriate to contractual counterparty and context;
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated  ability  to  take independent decisions;
•    Strong business acumen and ability to think strategically;
•    Solid communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills;
•    Strong time management and priorities management skills;
•    Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.
•    General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures, desirable.

Language:
•    Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).

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. Terms and Conditions
Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

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

Application Procedures:
To review detailed job description and apply for the vacancy, please visit:

http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/16-0021796

How to apply:
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.

Deadline for applications: 4 October 2016

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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: 16-0021796