National Legal Specialist

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

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 global 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. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The support is based on the guidelines as provided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF). The CPF articulates FAO’s collective response in support of Tanzania’s national priorities and pathway to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It embodies the spirit of partnerships to leverage strength and drive transformative change, making real our collective promise to leave no-one behind. The CPF results framework is also aligned with FAO’s regional thematic priorities: I) COVID-19 impacts on agrifood systems in Africa, policy priorities for inclusive- and resilient recovery; ii) Investing in ecosystem restoration for a more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems transformation in Africa; iii) Promoting investment and trade for competitive agrifood systems; and iv) Placing women, youth, and the poor at the forefront.

The Development Law Service of the Legal Office of FAO (LEGN) provides advisory services to governments on their legislation on food and agriculture and natural resources (including land, water, fisheries and aquaculture, plants, animals, food, forestry, wildlife, environment, climate change and biodiversity), as well as on general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lesotho/Eswatini, as well as the technical supervision of the Chief of the Development Law Service (LEGN). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the FAO AMR national, sub-regional and regional contact points, the regional legal consultant and other members of the project team.

Technical Focus

Legal research, review, drafting, and support senior colleagues in relation to legislation on veterinary services, animal health, and related subjects.

Tasks and responsibilities

It is anticipated that the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Prepare a work plan.
• Identify the relevant legislation for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), following the guidance document provided by LEGN. This includes, among others, veterinary legislation, veterinary medicines legislation, food safety, feed, animal production, crop production and pesticides, water quality, waste management and environmental protection;
• Prepare a folder with electronic copies of the legislation identified as relevant for AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) and include it in an electronic folder to be submitted as a product of the consultancy;
• Fill the excel table with questions on legislation on AMR-relevant legislation;
• Focus on one or two areas for a more in-depth study. These could include food safety, pesticides or veterinary legislation;
• On the basis of the excel table, and using the guidance provided by LEGN, prepare a report with an analysis of national legislation relevant for AMR and AMU under a One Health approach;
• Get familiar with the methodology to analyse One-Health relevant legislation. Integrate it into the national legal report;
• Get familiar with the materials prepared under other components of the project. In particular, participate in the trainings on the compliance and enforcement of the legislation and Regulatory Impact Assessment. Integrate those aspects into the national legal report;
• Support FAO team while they hold meetings with the national project team and/or work with the national team in contacting different Ministries to complete the collection of legislation and ensure consistency between the national assessments and the legal report;
• During the mission of the regional legal consultant, support the organization of the agenda for the mission, including organizing meetings, be available and participate in all meetings during the mission;
• Make a presentation on the results of the legal assessment in a national workshop. Participate and support other workshops and activities of legal relevance under the project. Prepare short reports with the participants, the agenda and the results of the workshops;
• Provide recommendations to revise the legislation and fill the gaps and weaknesses identified in the report. Prepare an updated version of the report including the results of the workshop and a road map for the implementation of the recommendations in the report;
• Prepare a final report with all activities and products developed under the consultancy.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Law.
• At least 5 years of relevant practical experience working in the legal field.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of the Kingdom of Lesotho or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated interest in the technical areas described above, as well as strong analytical, legal research and writing skills.

Selection Criteria

• Masters/PhD is an advantage:.
• Experience with legal issues related to veterinary, food, agriculture, environment and health sectors would be an asset.
• Experience in legal drafting and implementing international projects would be an asset.
• Experience in conducting legal research and analysis;
• Knowledge and experience in legal issues related to veterinary, food, agriculture, environment and health sectors;
• Experience in legal drafting and development;
• Experience in managing processes for stakeholder consultation and participation;
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and draft legal texts, legislative and regulatory instruments;
• Experience working with international or regional organizations or other entities in a relevant field.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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