Legal Specialist (Development Law)

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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The Development Law Branch of the FAO Legal Office (LEGN) provides assistance to FAO members for the review and revision of their national and regional legislation, to conduct legal research on matters under the FAO mandate and to collect and disseminate legal information, including national and regional legislation through FAOLEX.

The purpose of this Call is to identify suitably qualified and experienced consultants and/or PSA subscribers to populate a roster for legal experts with different levels of expertise and experience in various areas of food and agriculture legislation, including veterinary and phytosanitary legislation, food law, food loss and waste, soil, water, pastoralism, pollution and environmental law, climate change, legislation on contracts and financial mechanisms in the agriculture sector. The consultants can be recruited for assignments that may go from a few days to 11 months and may involve travel or be home based.

Reporting Lines

The Legal Specialists will be under the general supervision of the Chief – Development Law Branch of the FAO Legal Office.

Technical Focus

This Call for expression of interest (EOI) seeks to identify legal specialists and legal experts with knowledge in different areas of food and agriculture legislation.

Tasks And Responsibilities

The incumbents will support legal research and analysis, legal drafting, and capacity development activities. More specifically, they will:

• Support the implementation of development law projects and to this end:
• Assist and collaborate with national and international consultants.
• Travel to countries, when required, and liaise with national counterparts and stakeholders.
• Contribute to participatory legal drafting processes.
• Assist in drafting national and regionallegislation, legal opinions and legal analyses.
• Support the drafting, analysis and negotiation of international instruments;
• Conduct research on food and agriculture law, write papers, studies and develop legal solutions to food and agriculture matters.
• Support legal capacity development, and to this end:
• Contribute to the design and implementation of training and outreach activities and materials.
• Organize trainings, meetings, webinars and conferences.
• Support communication and outreach activities related to LEGN's work.
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Law or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. A Bachelor University Degree in Law and a PhD in Law are considered an asset.
• Minimum of 1 year of demonstrated relevant practical experience -including research experience.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English. Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
  
  

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in legal drafting and implementing national projects would be an asset.
• Familiarity with and understanding of law in one of the following areas:
• Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
• Knowledge of one or several of the following areas: food and agriculture legislation, veterinary and phytosanitary legislation, food law, food loss and waste, soil, water, pastoralism, pollution and environmental law, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, legislation on contracts and financial mechanisms in the agriculture sector.
• Knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
• Leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
  
  

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

08/Dec/2025

Closure Date

18/Jan/2026, 6:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit

LEGN

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Home-Based

Duration

Various locations

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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