DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

8 January 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

We are seeking a Legal Consultant to join our Legal Office (LEG), based in WFP’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The Legal Office is organized in three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees;
• The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, public and private sector fundraising and partnerships, commercial and other contractual activities, including cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, communications, privileges and immunities of WFP, public international law; and
• The Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including procurement (food, goods & services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

The Legal Consultant will be assigned to LEGC, offering a unique opportunity to work on high impact legal issues that support WFP’s global mission. The role will be diverse but will primarily involve giving legal advice and working on a variety of finance-related and general transactional commercial cases including cash-based transfers (CBT), agreements with banks for cash management services and agreements with public and private sector partners. While the primary focus will be on supporting finance-related and general transactional commercial cases, the Legal Consultant will also be requested to take on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG, based on business needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Under the general supervision of a Legal Officer, the Legal Consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis; handle a range of multi-disciplinary complex legal matters, including interpretation and application of various legal instruments, to facilitate the provision of quality legal services.
• Review legal documents, identify and analyze important issues, presenting findings and recommendations for internal review to contribute to the decision-making process.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of legal opinions or advice on a wide range of legal issues, background papers, studies, memoranda, reports and other legal documents.
• Negotiate and prepare agreements and contracts with public and private entities including governments, other UN organizations, non-governmental organizations and private sector partners, financial institutions, digital payment providers and other commercial entities, and assisting with contractual interpretation and disputes to meet unique client needs.
• Identify potential liabilities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties, and assist in the management of risks in WFP’s activities to facilitate well-informed decisions.
• Prepare and assess briefs of evidence to contribute to legal analysis and solutions.
• Service and/or assist senior legal officers in servicing 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.
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work; and
• Other, as required.

KEY COMPETENCIES (not all-inclusive)

• Articulate and concise legal thinking and drafting.
• Comprehensive and thorough legal research.
• Timely preparation of sound written analysis on a variety of legal matters, including without limitation matters pertaining to commercial, contractual, international, and public law.
• Effective application of legal expertise, delivering practical legal advice that is easily understood by internal clients in non-legal functions, fostering better collaboration and decision-making.
• Adaptability and flexibility in engagement, demonstrating the ability to adjust legal approaches in response to changing circumstances and operational expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education: Advanced university degree in law, or first university degree in law with additional relevant experience and training, preferably with a focus on private commercial law, finance law and/or public international law.

Work Experience: At least three years of relevant professional experience as a lawyer in a law firm in a private-sector legal department with international exposure or in an international organization in the area of finance and commercial law.

Skills:

• Technical knowledge of, and experience in, finance and commercial law and demonstrated ability to draft contracts ad-hoc that are appropriate to contractual counterparty and context.
• Solution-oriented mindset, proactive approach, and passion for finance and commercial matters.
• Strong communication skills and commercial acumen.
• Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively prioritizing tasks and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience and/or knowledge of technology law, intellectual property and data protection law is a plus.
• Familiarity with UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is a plus.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required. Fluency (level C) in oral and written French and/or Spanish is an asset. Intermediate (level B) of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is also an asset.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements