General Legal Affairs Specialist

About the role

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking qualified legal experts to join its General Legal Affairs Service on a short‑term basis. Selected specialists will provide legal advice and support to FAO’s headquarters, regional offices, and field missions, ensuring that all activities comply with the organization’s statutes, international law, and UN system regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver timely legal advice to FAO units on matters such as contribution agreements, project contracts, and donor funding instruments.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and interpreting international treaties, agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Represent FAO in administrative tribunals, dispute settlements, and judicial proceedings.
• Support the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters (CCLM) with research and analysis.
• Provide guidance on personnel matters, including the application of internal rules and international administrative law.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in law (LL.M. or equivalent) with specialization in public international law or law of international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience advising inter‑governmental or UN agencies on legal issues.
• Ability to work independently on short‑term assignments ranging from a few days to up to 11 months.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Required skills

• Public international law
• Law of international organizations
• International administrative law
• Legal drafting and contract negotiation
• Legal research and analysis

What we offer

• Opportunity to work with a leading UN specialized agency on high‑impact legal matters.
• Flexible work mode – assignments can be performed at FAO headquarters in Rome or remotely.
• Assignments of varying length, up to 11 months, on a contract basis.
• Professional development within an international legal environment.