World Food Programme→
Legal Officer at World Food Programme in Rome, Lazio, IT
Skills
Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 7 June 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
- WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
- WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
- WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
- A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
- We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
The Global Staff Union (GSU) Legal Officer, handles matters related to the requirements of the staff. This will entail providing legal advice to members of the GSU, 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 GSU Staff Council, to help formulate a position with a view to improve staff conditions of service.
Under the general supervision and guidance of the GSU President, the GSU Legal Officer will be responsible for the following key duties:
Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, handle a wide range of multi-disciplinary 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 including participation in 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 GSU’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 GSU members in tribunals or internal appeals.
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 GSU’s position.
Provide legal advice on HR rules, regulations and manuals.
Provides support for staff appeals for all GSU members, regardless of geographic location.
Review decisions/recommendations made by UN entities such as GA, ICSC, HLMC, JIU and prepare bulletins to inform members of changes in staff conditions of work.
Liaise with the Staff Federation on common system issues.
Prepare information bulletins on GSU positions on policy related issues.
Provide information and guidance to members and others related to the work of the GSU, with a view to encouraging wider membership.
As requested, brief staff members on the work of the GSU, with a view to encouraging wider membership.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
- We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
- If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at http://global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
- At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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.