Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service)

TL;DR

Senior Legal Officer (Head, Development Law Service) (Legal): Managing the Development Law Service to provide legal advice on national development and international cooperation in the agrifood sector with an accent on law reform, legal research, and capacity building. Focus on guiding the legal framework for land, water, fisheries, and environmental issues to support sustainable agrifood systems.

Location: Italy-Rome

Company

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (hirify.global) supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

What you will do

• Manage the Development Law Service, setting goals aligned with the Strategic Framework and priorities of Member nations.
• Monitor efficiency and results, ensuring quality control and clearance of all development law work outputs.
• Provide authoritative legal advice and assistance to the Director-General and various organizational units.
• Advise Members on legal and institutional means to promote and regulate national development in the food and agriculture sector.
• Oversee legal research, data collection, and capacity building in areas including land, water, fisheries, and biodiversity.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
• Strong results focus and ability to manage complex legal services.
• Commitment to hirify.global values of integrity, transparency, and respect for all.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive UN compensation package including rental subsidies and dependency allowances.
• Education grants for children and home leave travel.
• 30 working days of annual leave per year.
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.
• International health insurance and optional life insurance.
• Positive workplace culture with family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements.