Legal Consultant

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, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) 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.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

We are seeking to fill multiple consultancy positions within our Legal Office (LEG), based in WFP’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy.*

The Legal Consultants will be assigned to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC). The role will be diverse and will primarily involve providing legal advice and working on a variety of finance-related matters, including cash operations, innovative financing mechanisms, and a range of general commercial transactional matters and field support.

The Legal Consultants may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests. 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;
• LEGC provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, and communications; 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.

  * Remote working from the Permanent Place of Residence could be considered for these positions.

  KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

  Under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, LEGC, the Legal Consultants 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 in the relevant area of concentration 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 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 organisations and NGOs, financial institutions, digital payments 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.
  • Participate in negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes with public and private entities.
  • Prepare and assess briefs of evidence to contribute to legal analysis and solutions.
  • Assist in providing legal advice and interpretations and reviewing administrative decisions.
  • 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, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
  • Other, as required

    RESULTS EXPECTED

    1. Articulate and concise thinking and drafting.
    2. Comprehensive research.
    3. Timely preparation of sound written analysis of a variety of legal issues pertaining to commercial, finance, international, contract and constitutional law.
    4. Application of specialized expertise in preparing legal advice, which is easily understandable to staff members not trained in the field of law.
    5. Development of new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
    6. Demonstrated ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.

       DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

       Education: Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training (preferably with specialization in commercial law, finance, and banking law).

       Work Experience: At least seven 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 organisation in the area of finance and commercial law.

       Knowledge Skills:

       • Technical knowledge of, and experience in, finance and commercial law, preferably with exposure to innovative financing and cash operations, and demonstrated ability to structure transactions and draft contracts ad-hoc that are appropriate to the contractual counterparty and context.
       • Solution-oriented and proactive with excellent communication skills and commercial acumen.
       • Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.
       • Strong time management and priorities management skills.
       • Experience and an understanding of the complexities surrounding data protection and technology law is an asset.
       • General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is a plus.
       • Ability to conduct legal work in French is an asset.