Young Professional Officer (Legal)
h3Organizational Setting /h3pThe 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 position is located in the Development Law Branch (LEGN) of LEG which provides legal advisory services to governments on sustainable food and agriculture and utilization of natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife, environment and biodiversity), as well as general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform). LEGN conducts legal analyses and disseminates information on matters relevant to FAO's mandate and houses FAOLEX one of the world's largest database on laws concerning food, agriculture and natural resources. /ppThe position is located in the Legal Office (LEG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. /ph3Reporting Lines /h3pThe Young Professional Officer (Legal) reports to the designated Legal Officer under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer (Chief, LEGN) and is under the overall guidance of the Legal Counsel. /ph3Technical Focus /h3pThe Young Professional Officer (Legal) will provide support in development law, including legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and natural resource management, in line with the Organization's Strategic Objectives. /ph3Key Results /h3pResearch, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services. /ph3Key Functions /h3ulliAnalyses from a legal perspective relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents. /liliMaintains records and updates databases and web pages. /liliProvides technical support to various projects. /liliCollaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc. /liliParticipates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners. /li /ulh3Specific Functions /h3ulliPerforms legal research and analysis, supports in the review and preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of multidisciplinary legal matters related to development law and the legal and institutional aspects of food, agriculture, and natural resource management. /liliSupports the drafting of recommended texts of laws, regulations and other legal instruments, legal opinions, briefs, reports, correspondence, as well as studies, publications and other legal documents.
/liliContributes to LEGN’s support of the work of relevant Strategic Programme Teams, Technical Units at FAO Headquarters and FAO Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between legal, policy and governance-related work in support of Members. /liliAssists in the preparation of teaching materials and seminars, symposia, webinars and lectures. /liliAssists with the management of publications and other communication materials, including web pages. /liliProvides legal support in the delivery of legal activities, services and products pertaining to the Organization’s mandate in support of the FAO Strategic Objectives, Regional Initiatives, and related Delivery Mechanisms, including alignment with the Organization’s Policy on Gender Equality. /li /ulh3CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING /h3h3Minimum Requirements /h3ulliAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. /liliOne year of relevant experience in legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and/or natural resources including land, water, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, wildlife and/or environmental law. /liliWorking knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). /li /ulh3Competencies /h3ulliResults Focus /liliTeamwork /liliCommunication /liliBuilding Effective Relationships /liliKnowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement /li /ulh3Technical/Functional Skills /h3ulliWork experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable. /liliExtent and relevance of experience in legal and institutional aspects of sustainable food and agriculture and utilization of natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, forestry, wildlife, environment and biodiversity), and related cross-sectoral issues such as climate change and gender equality, is an advantage. /liliAbility to carry out legal research and analysis. /liliAbility to write clear and concise reports. Experience in drafting legal texts is an advantage. /liliExtent and relevance of experience or familiarity in implementation of international normative and voluntary instruments and best practice including through policy and legislation. /liliWork experience,
internship or training attachment with international organizations, government, academia or non-governmental organizations is considered a strong asset. /liliPlease note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. /liliThe Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under-represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO. /li /ulh3Job Posting /h3p28/Oct/2026 /ph3Closure Date /h3p18/Nov/2026, 11:59:00 PM /ph3Organizational Unit /h3pLegal Office, LEG /ph3Job Type /h3pStaff position /ph3Grade Level /h3pP-1 /ph3Primary Location /h3pItaly-Rome /ph3Duration /h3pFixed-term: two years with possibility of extension /ph3Post Number /h3 h3CCOG Code /h3p1A21 /ph3IMPORTANT NOTICE /h3pPlease note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device /ppThe length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. /pulliFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture /liliQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply /liliEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values /liliFAO, 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 /liliAll selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks /liliAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality /liliFAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization. /li /ulpThe 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. /p #J-18808-Ljbffr
/liliContributes to LEGN’s support of the work of relevant Strategic Programme Teams, Technical Units at FAO Headquarters and FAO Decentralized Offices in order to ensure best synergies between legal, policy and governance-related work in support of Members. /liliAssists in the preparation of teaching materials and seminars, symposia, webinars and lectures. /liliAssists with the management of publications and other communication materials, including web pages. /liliProvides legal support in the delivery of legal activities, services and products pertaining to the Organization’s mandate in support of the FAO Strategic Objectives, Regional Initiatives, and related Delivery Mechanisms, including alignment with the Organization’s Policy on Gender Equality. /li /ulh3CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING /h3h3Minimum Requirements /h3ulliAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. /liliOne year of relevant experience in legal and institutional aspects of food and agriculture and/or natural resources including land, water, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, wildlife and/or environmental law. /liliWorking knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). /li /ulh3Competencies /h3ulliResults Focus /liliTeamwork /liliCommunication /liliBuilding Effective Relationships /liliKnowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement /li /ulh3Technical/Functional Skills /h3ulliWork experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable. /liliExtent and relevance of experience in legal and institutional aspects of sustainable food and agriculture and utilization of natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, forestry, wildlife, environment and biodiversity), and related cross-sectoral issues such as climate change and gender equality, is an advantage. /liliAbility to carry out legal research and analysis. /liliAbility to write clear and concise reports. Experience in drafting legal texts is an advantage. /liliExtent and relevance of experience or familiarity in implementation of international normative and voluntary instruments and best practice including through policy and legislation. /liliWork experience,
internship or training attachment with international organizations, government, academia or non-governmental organizations is considered a strong asset. /liliPlease note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. /liliThe Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under-represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO. /li /ulh3Job Posting /h3p28/Oct/2026 /ph3Closure Date /h3p18/Nov/2026, 11:59:00 PM /ph3Organizational Unit /h3pLegal Office, LEG /ph3Job Type /h3pStaff position /ph3Grade Level /h3pP-1 /ph3Primary Location /h3pItaly-Rome /ph3Duration /h3pFixed-term: two years with possibility of extension /ph3Post Number /h3 h3CCOG Code /h3p1A21 /ph3IMPORTANT NOTICE /h3pPlease note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device /ppThe length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. /pulliFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture /liliQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply /liliEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values /liliFAO, 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 /liliAll selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks /liliAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality /liliFAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization. /li /ulpThe 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. /p #J-18808-Ljbffr