Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

As part of the Office of the Director-General, the Legal Office (LEG) provides authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, units in Headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and Members of the Organization.

The Development Law Service (LEGN) advises the Organization and its Members on legal and institutional means to promote and regulate national development and international cooperation in the food and agriculture sector, through law reform activities, legal research, data collection, technical assistance and capacity building in the areas of land, water, fisheries, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife, biodiversity and the environment, as well as other legal issues related to food and agriculture (including, but not limited to, nutrition, trade, technology).

The position is located in the Development Law Service (LEGN) of the Legal Office (LEG), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) reports to the Legal Counsel or the Deputy Legal Counsel.

Technical Focus

Public international law, natural resources and/or development law, environmental law, comparative legislation and regulation, legislative drafting.

Key Results

The provision of legal advice and support on questions related to the legal and institutional means to promote and regulate national development and international cooperation in the food and agriculture sector.

Key Functions

- Manages the Development Law Service, setting goals and objectives aligned with the Strategic Framework of the Organization and the priorities of the Members, monitoring efficiency and outcomes/results, and providing guidance, supervision and quality control of work outputs and clearance of the development law work of the Organization.
- Manages the resources of the Service in close collaboration with the Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel, including by appropriately managing financial resources allocated to the Service, leading resource mobilization efforts, and providing leadership to its personnel in managing and implementing the work programme of the Service, ensuring the application of an appropriate framework for impact assessment of its work.
- Ensures that the Service delivers high-quality outputs which are clear, objective, and based on sound technical legal analysis in a timely and efficient manner.




- Coordinates and fosters exchange of experience and knowledge on development law issues and on modalities for delivery of the work programme within the Service.
- Fosters innovation and the use of new technologies to enhance the work of the Service and its efficiency.
- Fosters innovation and identifies legislative and other solutions to assist Members to address new and emerging challenges in the fields of food, agriculture and nutrition.
- Oversees the preparation of policy and position papers and reports on development law in general, and on the results of the Service in particular for internal use and, as appropriate, for the Governing Bodies.
- Provides high-level advice and consultancy services to managers and staff in FAO, as well as to Members on development law and international law issues as required, and supervises development law work undertaken by other units of FAO.
- Contributes as part of the management team of LEG in planning and evaluating the work programme of the Legal Office.
- Represents the Organization in multilateral fora dealing with development law and other issues of relevance to FAO and its mandate.
- Fosters teamwork and communication among personnel in the Service and across organizational boundaries.
- Performs other related duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law.
- Ten years of legal experience relevant to the functions set to above with specialization in natural resources and development law in an international setting (such as a legal unit of an international organization or governmental institution, or in other forms of legal practice involving international dimensions).
- Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

- Results Focus
- Leading, Engaging and Empowering
- Communication
- Partnering and Advocating
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
- Relevance of knowledge and experience of agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation.
- Extent of knowledge of both civil and common-law systems.
- Extent of communication skills, both orally and in writing.
- Extent and relevance of experience in planning and delivering training and technical assistance.




- Demonstrated ability to manage legal services, in particular to guide, motivate and train legal professionals, to direct advisory and research projects, to lead and facilitate the work of multidisciplinary teams of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, monitor and report against corporate strategic frameworks and related outcomes, indicators and impacts, including by implementing impact assessments frameworks for legal and regulatory work.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and perform programme or project budget holder responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to carry out legal research and analysis, to review legal texts of considerable difficulty, to develop and maintain effective working relationships with government officials and representatives of other partner organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to innovate, and to rely on new technologies in the legal domain.
- Admission to practice law in a national jurisdiction is considered a strong asset.
- Extent of experience in drafting agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation.
- Field experience in the provision of legal advisory assistance in agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation.

Job Posting

24/Jul/2026

Closure Date

25/Aug/2026, 12:59:00 AM

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-5

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number

0426563

CCOG Code

1G01
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

📌 Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) (Roma)
🏢 Fao
📍 Roma