ppSenior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Roma, LAZ, IT. This Tempo pieno on site position offers great opportunities for career growth. /ppJob Posting: 24/Jul/2026 Closure Date: 24/Aug/2026, 4:59:00 PM Organizational Unit: LEG 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: CCOG Code: 1G01 /ppIMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. /ppFAO 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. /ppOrganizational 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. /ph3Reporting Lines /h3pThe Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) reports to the Legal Counsel or the Deputy Legal Counsel. /ph3Technical Focus /h3pPublic international law, natural resources and/or development law, environmental law, comparative legislation and regulation, legislative drafting. /ph3Key Results /h3pThe 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. /ph3Key Functions /h3ulliManages 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. /liliManages 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. /liliEnsures that the Service delivers high-quality outputs which are clear, objective, and based on sound technical legal analysis in a timely and efficient manner. /liliCoordinates and fosters exchange of experience and knowledge on development law issues and on modalities for delivery of the work programme within the Service. /liliFosters innovation and the use of new technologies to enhance the work of the Service and its efficiency. /liliFosters innovation and identifies legislative and other solutions to assist Members to address new and emerging challenges in the fields of food, agriculture and nutrition. /liliOversees 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. /liliProvides 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. /liliContributes as part of the management team of LEG in planning and evaluating the work programme of the Legal Office. /liliRepresents the Organization in multilateral fora dealing with development law and other issues of relevance to FAO and its mandate. /liliFosters teamwork and communication among personnel in the Service and across organizational boundaries. /liliPerforms other related duties, as required. /li /ulh3Candidates will be assessed against following Minimum Requirements /h3ulliAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. /liliTen 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). /liliWorking knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). /liliCompetencies Results Focus Leading,



Engaging and Empowering Communication Partnering and Advocating Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Strategic Thinking Technical/Functional Skills /liliWork experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential. /liliRelevance of knowledge and experience of agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation. /liliExtent of knowledge of both civil and common-law systems. /liliExtent of communication skills, both orally and in writing. /liliExtent and relevance of experience in planning and delivering training and technical assistance. /liliDemonstrated 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. /liliDemonstrated 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. /liliDemonstrated ability to manage budgets and perform programme or project budget holder responsibilities. /liliDemonstrated 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. /liliDemonstrated ability to innovate, and to rely on new technologies in the legal domain. /liliAdmission to practice law in a national jurisdiction is considered a strong asset. /liliExtent of experience in drafting agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation. /liliField experience in the provision of legal advisory assistance in agricultural and other renewable natural resources legislation. /li /ulpFAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. /ph3General Information /h3ulliExtension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds /lili* FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment. /lili* Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. /li /ulh3Conditions of Service /h3pA competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: /pulliOther benefits, subject to eligibility, include: Dependency allowances /liliRental subsidy /liliEducation grant for children /liliHome leave travel /lili30 working days of annual leave per year /liliPension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund /liliInternational health insurance; optional life insurance /liliDisability protection /li /ulpFAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes: elements of family-friendly policies flexible working arrangements standards of conduct. /ppFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Roma)
🏢 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
📍 Roma