Organizational Setting
FAO’s Human Resources Division (CSH) provides HR strategies, policies, tools, guidance and oversight to FAO offices worldwide to ensure that the Organization attracts, develops and retains a diverse, skilled and highly motivated workforce, delivering on the mandate of the Organization. Over the next years, CSH will focus on developing and implementing a people centered strategy, and positioning HR as a strategic partner contributing to the achievement of the mandate of FAO.

The Human Resources Division is composed of two main clusters: (i) the Integrated Talent Management cluster, providing advice and managing position management, recruitment, mobility, staff development and training, performance management and social security; and (ii) the HR Strategy and Policy cluster, providing HR strategic guidance, policy and oversight.

The position is located in the Strategy and Policy Branch (CSHP) of the Human Resources Division (CSH) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Human Resources Officer (Administrative Law) reports to the Human Resources Officer (Administrative Law and Workplace Relations) under the overall guidance of the Director, Human Resources.

Technical Focus
The provision of accurate human resources/international administrative law advice and support.

Key Results
The provision of HR services to management and staff.

Key Functions
• Processes, coordinates arrangements and delivers services in an HR discipline.
• Researches and analyses HR policy, legal frameworks, case law and best practices, as well as service delivery issues; maintains operational statistics and prepares related reports.
• Develops and maintains HR systems, processes and practices.
• Contributes to the development of information and training materials and coordinates and assists in the presentation of information/training sessions to management and staff.
• Provides HR information and advice to management and staff.
• Participates in project teams and work groups.

Specific Functions
• Participates in the review of requests for HR advice from managers and staff on administrative law matters and workplace relations issues, including allegations of misconduct and the disciplinary process, performance management, recommendations for non-renewal or termination of contracts and the interpretation of policies regarding benefits and entitlements from an administrative law perspective.
• Assists in the review and preparation of draft communications in disciplinary and/or underperformance cases.
• Conducts legal research and analysis on questions relating to international administrative law, including research of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Administrative Tribunal case law and the FAO regulations, rules and policies in a range of disciplinary cases, including sexual harassment, performance management, benefits and entitlements.
• Contributes to the development of policies, including policies relating to misconduct and performance management and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Participates as necessary in HR meetings and working group meetings in relation to workplace relations and administrative law matters and liaises with offices as needed, including, the Office of the Inspector-General (OIG), Ethics Office, Ombudsperson, Legal Office and the Office of the Deputy Directory-General on administrative law cases.
• Liaises with the Regional and Country Offices as necessary.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in law, human resources, management, business administration, organizational development, or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in human resources management and administration, and/or law including legal analysis, research and writing.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – 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.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.
• Relevant experience within the UN system or with an international organization would be highly desirable.
• Completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction is considered an asset.
• Ability to carry out legal research and analysis.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing legal advice on issues of international administrative law, preferably in an international setting.
• Extent of knowledge of the United Nations system.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting, reviewing and advising on regulations, rules and policies of international organizations, including on matters involving considerable complexity.
• An HR professional certification and/or the completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction are considered an asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements