Legal Consultant Lazio

Legal Consultant
Roma
Lazio, Lazio

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.

The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.

Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

**ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

We are seeking to fill up to two Legal Consultant positions located in the Legal Office (LEG) of the World Food Programme's Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

* The role will be diverse and will primarily involve giving legal advice and working on a variety of finance-related and general transactional commercial cases.

The Legal Consultant may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests.

The Legal Consultant will be assigned to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC).

*_ Due to existing COVID-19 circumstances, teleworking from country of origin/residence may be needed. _

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

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

- Review legal documents, identify and analyze issues, presenting findings and recommendations for internal review to contribute to the decision-making process.

- Assist in preparation of legal opinions or advice and background papers, studies, memoranda, reports, and other legal documents to contribute to coherence and quality of legal documents.

- Contribute to the preparation of agreements and contracts with public and private entities including governments, UN organisations and NGOs, financial institutions, digital payments providers, and other commercial entities, and participate in the negotiation and settlement of claims 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 contribute to well-informed decisions.

- Prepare and assess briefs of evidence to contribute to legal analysis and solutions.

- 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

- Articulate and concise thinking and drafting.

- Comprehensive research.

- Timely preparation of sound written analysis of a variety of legal issues pertaining to commercial, finance, international, contract and constitutional law.

- Application of specialized expertise in preparing legal advice, which is easily understandable to staff members not trained in the field of law.

**DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

**Education**: Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law (preferably with specialization in commercial law, finance and banking law, or public 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 organisation in the area of finance and commercial law.

**Knowledge 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 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/or knowledge of technology law and data protection law is an asset.

- General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is a plus.

**Languages**: Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required.

Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

**DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

**Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP has zero-tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.