ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Office of the Deputy Director-General at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. 

The Office of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) supports the strategic coordination and oversight functions of the Divisions/Offices/Centres that come under the direct responsibility of the DDG.

The Office of the DDG is responsible for ensuring an enabling and supporting environment for FAO’s delivery, with focus on optimizing management systems, administrative service delivery and operational support capacity at all locations.

It further ensures the strategic coordination of Decentralized Offices.

The Administrative Review Officer provides legal and administrative support to the DDG in replying to requests for administrative review (in line with Manual Section/MS 331).

Reporting Lines
The Administrative Review Officer reports to the Deputy Director-General.

Technical Focus
Public international law, law of the international civil service and international administrative law.
 
Key Results
The Administrative Review Officer provides support to and is responsible for the planning and delivery of multidisciplinary legal-related activities, including recommendations to the Deputy Director-General on the requests for administrative review received by the Organization.

Key Functions
• Receive correspondence, pleas, evidence and other documentation submitted for an administrative review request.
• Verify that the submitted documentation complies with the applicable rules.
• Issue notifications as required in relation to a request for administrative review or upon instruction by the Deputy Director-General.
• Provide advice on various substantive and procedural questions.
• Ensure the establishment, coordination and maintenance of an electronic case file for each request in accordance with relevant provisions, maintaining utmost confidentiality.
• Identify issues and handle a wide range of complex and sensitive HR and legal matters.
• Draft a summary of the relevant facts and key arguments of the parties and identify the main issues raised in each request for administrative review.
• Provide the Deputy Director-General with relevant information and expert advice on applicable regulations, rules, policies and precedents.
• Prepare draft replies to requests for administrative review and submit them to the Deputy Director-General for consideration.
• Support work related to improving workplace culture and relationships.
• Review and recommend necessary updates to the FAO Manual, as required.
• Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in law.

A first-level university degree in law combined with an additional two years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Seven years of legal experience relevant to the functions stated above, including experience in an international setting, as well as in reviewing and advising on administrative and employment law.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in administrative and international civil service law.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing and advising on administrative cases related to the internal justice system of international organizations, including disciplinary and performance management cases, benefits, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting legal and policy documents, position papers and briefing notes on sensitive matters of considerable complexity.
• Knowledge and experience with information management systems related to legal matters is desirable.
• Experience with the United Nations system in the field of human resources and administrative procedures, as well as legal matters, is considered a strong asset.
• Experience as an advocate/litigator before courts and tribunals on administrative and employment law is desirable.
• Experience in implementing change management initiatives is desirable.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French is highly desirable.