JOBS

Exciting International Professional position opportunity: Join WFP as a Legal Officer P3 based in Rome, Italy

Ednah Carrick October 15, 2025

0 337 3 minutes read

Closing Date: 4 November 2025

Exciting International Professional position opportunity: Join WFP as a Legal Officer P3 based in Rome, Italy

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.

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.

Organizational Context

The Legal Office is organized into three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees;
The Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, and communications; and
The Maritime, Transport, and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM) provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s supply chain activities, including Procurement (Food, Goods & Services), maritime, aviation, logistics (inland transportation, storage, and warehousing), United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots and insurance.

WFP is seeking to fill Legal Officer P3 position in LEGA, based in its headquarters in Rome, Italy. This selection process may be used to fill other positions in LEG (other branches).

While LEGA will be the base branch for these Legal Officer P3 position, please note that the Legal Office is adopting a pooled service arrangement for posts at this level aimed at promoting inter-branch engagement and expanding staff knowledge and skills. This includes an expectation to undertake up to 50% of work on matters pertaining to the other branches of the Legal Office.

Job purpose

In consultation with senior Legal Officers, handle a range of legal services including interpretation and application of various constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing WFP activities and operations.

Key accountabilities

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.
Prepare and/or review agreements and contracts with public and private entities 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 WFP’s activities to facilitate well-informed decisions.
Prepare and assess briefs of evidence and draw recommendations to facilitate legal analysis and solutions.
Provide legal advice and interpretation in reviewing administrative decisions including preparing legal briefs and representing WFP in tribunals or administrative proceedings.
Service and/or assist senior Legal Officers 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 WFP’s position.

Qualifications and Key Requirements

Education:

Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public law.
Must be qualified to practice or admitted to practice law by a recognized national or state bar or law society, or have equivalent professional legal practice experience.

Experience:

At least 5 years (of which 3 years is in an international context) of relevant progressively responsible experience providing a wide range of legal services.
Prior experience in litigation is an asset.

Language:

Fluency (level C) in the English language.
Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (A WFP’s working language).

You have:

Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts, procedures and terminology for review, examination and processing of a range of legal documents.
Knowledge of various legal research sources, techniques and ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments and draft legal papers.
Knowledge of tribunal processes and procedures.
Business acumen.
Strong time management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Terms and Conditions

This is an International Professional position (non-rotational) and is open to all nationalities.
Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.