Legal Assessment Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Government of the Republic of Serbia, with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is implementing the project GCP/SRB/010/EC “EU for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development – pesticides (Enhanced national capacities for sound management of pesticides in the Republic of Serbia).” The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in aligning with national policies and legislation on pesticide management with the EU acquis and the European Green Deal. Activities focus on strengthening institutional capacities, developing legal and technical frameworks for the lifecycle management of pesticides, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The project aims to enhance food safety, environmental protection, and rural development in Serbia through improved regulatory systems, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility of the de facto Head of Office, and the administrative supervision of the Budget Holder/Field Programme Officer and the Project Manager, the Legal Assessment Specialist will work under the technical supervision of the Legal Officer at HQ and Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at FAO REU.

Technical Focus

The Legal Assessment Specialist will support the FAO Representation in Serbia in the implementation and coordination of activities under the FAO project GCP/SRB/010/EC, focusing on a comprehensive legal review and gap analysis of national legislation and institutional arrangements related to pesticide life-cycle management. The specialist will align Serbian legal frameworks with the EU acquis and international standards, provide technical support for legislative improvements, in order to advance legal harmonization in the area of pesticide management.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Review the existing assessments, reports, and legal documents related to pesticide life-cycle management in Serbia, including the Law on Plant Protection Products, amendments, and alignment work already undertaken with EU acquis. 
•     Prepare a national legal report following the template provided by the Legal Office including a comprehensive legal review and gap analysis of national legislation, bylaws, and institutional arrangements concerning pesticide registration, monitoring, container management, professional user certification, equipment inspection, and pesticide use reduction measures. Analyze them against the Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management and its implementation guidelines, as well as EU acquis, including Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. 
Include recommendations for revising and improving Serbian legislation, including on:
o    Pesticide registration (Act. 1.4)
o    Register of professional users of pesticides (Act. 1.1)
o    Register of other pesticide operators, including importers, distributors, and suppliers (Act. 1.2)
o    National container management system (Act. 1.7)
o    Sustainable pesticide use provisions (Act. 1.5, 1.6 linkages)
•     Participate in project meetings, seminars, and workshops with MAFWM, FAO, EU Delegation and stakeholders to provide legal inputs.
•     Prepare an end-of-assignment report summarizing methodology, findings, legal gap analysis, draft proposals, and recommendations for next stages of legal harmonization. 
•     Carry out other related tasks upon request of FAO to ensure successful delivery of the legal component.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in law. 
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in pesticide, environmental or agriculture legislation.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of Serbian and English.
•     National of Serbia or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core 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.
•     Understanding of international standards and requirements in relation of pesticides management and relevant EU legislations.

Selection Criteria

•     Advanced law degree would be an asset.
•     Experience in legal analysis and drafting.
•     Experience in pesticide, environmental and/or agriculture legislation.
•     Experience in project implementation.