Security Officers Professional Profile

Legal Officer (Professional Staff Association), P3 – Rome,
Italy
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian
agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill a Legal Officer (PSA) position
at the P3 level, based at our Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
To learn more about how WFP contributes to the Sustainable
Development Goals and what the Zero Hunger Challenge
means for WFP, watch this Video.
At this level, job holders are fully qualified Legal Officers operating across an assigned
area of work preparing and finalizing legal opinions and advice, except for complex and
sensitive legal issues seeking clearance of Staff Association leadership. Job holders
normally work directly with the PSA President and may have responsibility as a team
leader of supervising junior Legal Officers or short-term staff, as well as working with
external lawyers. Work requires a complete understanding of the subject matter in the
context of the program. At this level, there is the ability to adapt policies, approaches and
models to meet emerging needs of the target client community. Within established areas
of responsibility, job holders exercise a high degree of independence. Client interface
focuses on maintaining relationships and projecting the image of a credible/reliable
partner. Established in the subject legal field, the impact of the work reflects directly on
the professionalism of the job holder and the overall reputation of the PSA for high quality
work.
The Professional Staff Association (PSA) Legal Officer, P3 handles matters related to the
requirements of the staff. This will entail providing legal advice to members of the PSA,
including the preparation of Appeals to the Executive Director, the FAO Appeals
Committee and the ILOAT. In addition, the incumbent would have a key role in reviewing
draft WFP policies and directives and providing advice to the PSA Staff Council, to help
formulate a position with a view to improve staff conditions of service.
Under the general supervision and guidance of the PSA President, the Legal Officer, PSA
will be responsible for the following key duties:
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Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, handle a wide range of multidisciplinary complex legal matters including interpretation and application of
various legal instruments to facilitate comprehensive legal services.
Review legal documents, identify important issues, similarities and inconsistencies,
and present findings for internal review to facilitate the decision-making process.
Prepare or assist in preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of legal
issues, background papers, studies, memoranda, reports and other legal
documents to facilitate coherence and quality of legal documents.
Prepare and/or review agreements and contracts with public and private entities
including participation in negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes to meet
unique client needs.
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Identify potential liabilities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties, and assist in the
management of risks in PSA’s activities to facilitate well-informed decisions.
Prepare and assess briefs of evidence and draw recommendations to facilitate legal
analysis and solutions.
Assist in providing legal advice and interpretations and reviewing administrative
decisions including assisting in or representing staff in tribunals or administrative
proceedings.
Service and/or assist Staff Council members in servicing committees, task forces,
expert working groups and other bodies with legal advice and preparation or review
of legal documents to facilitate the formulation of PSA’s position.
Provides legal advice on HR rules, regulations and manuals.
Provides support for staff appeals for all PSA members, regardless of geographic
location.
Other as required.
Qualifications & Experience Required
Education:
 Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with
additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public Law.
 Must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice by a recognized national or
state bar or law society.
Experience:
 At least five years or more of relevant progressively responsible experience in
providing a wide range of legal services.
 At least three years’ experience with UN employment law.
 Proven experience with staff relations issues.
 Strong knowledge of WFP/FAO Regulations, Rules and Manuals.
 Good knowledge of UN entities and impact of their decisions on staff, such as the
General Assembly, the International Civil Service Commission, the Joint Inspection
Unit and the High Level Committee on Management.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
 Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts, procedures and
terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents.
 Knowledge of various legal research sources, techniques and ability to interpret
and apply legislative instruments and draft legal papers.
 Knowledge of tribunal processes and procedures.
 Business acumen.
 Strong time management skills.
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Language:
 Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another
official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese
(one of WFP’s working languages).
Non-Rotational Nature
Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is
however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to
the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.
Terms and Conditions
Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of
one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult
locations.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post
adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual
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leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical
insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org
Application Procedures:
Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/16-0021730
Step 1: Register and create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit
your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for
this vacancy.
Deadline for applications: 11 August 2016
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.
REF: 16-0021730
Fighting Hunger Worldwide
www.wfp.org
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