Legal Consultant

We are seeking to fill one consultancy position within our Legal Office (LEG), based in WFP’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy.*

The Legal Consultant will be assigned to the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC). The role will be diverse and will primarily involve providing legal advice and working on a variety of finance-related matters, including cash operations, innovative financing mechanisms, and a range of general commercial transactional matters and field support.

* Remote working from Permanent Place of Residence could be considered for these positions.

The Legal Consultant may, however, work on assignments in other areas of activity within LEG based on business needs and expressed personal interests. The Legal Office is organized in three branches that advise on the various aspects of WFP’s work:

• LEGC provides advice on all aspects of WFP’s internal governance, private sector and government contributions, commercial and other contractual activities, including also cash-based transfer programmes, treasury functions, communications and IT;

• The Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) provides advice to management on all aspects of the employment relationship between WFP and its employees; 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.

Under the general supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, LEGC, the Legal Consultant will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Independently handle a broad range of multi‑disciplinary and complex legal matters, including interpretation and application of international, commercial, financial, administrative, and contractual legal instruments, to ensure the delivery of high‑quality legal services

• Undertake extensive legal research and analysis, identifying key legal issues, risks, and implications, and provide clear, well‑reasoned recommendations to support strategic and operational decision‑making.

• Draft, review, and contribute to legal opinions, advisory notes, background papers, studies, memoranda, reports, and other complex legal documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational interests.

• Draft, negotiate, and review complex agreements and contracts with public and private entities, including governments, UN organizations, NGOs, financial institutions, digital payments providers, infrastructure and technology providers, and other commercial partners; advise on contractual interpretation, risk allocation, and dispute resolution.

• Contribute to the identification, assessment, and mitigation of legal risks and potential liabilities, particularly vis‑à‑vis third parties, supporting proactive risk management and safeguarding WFP’s legal and reputational interests.

• Participate in, and provide legal support to, the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes involving public and private entities, including preparation and assessment of briefs of evidence and related legal submissions.

• Provide legal advice on administrative decisions and procedural matters, ensuring compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and internal governance frameworks.

• Support and/or service committees, task forces, expert working groups, and other internal bodies, including preparation and review of legal documentation, to contribute to the formulation and articulation of WFP’s legal position.

• Promote an equitable, inclusive, and gender‑responsive approach across all areas of work, in line with WFP’s diversity and inclusion framework.

• Perform other related duties, as required, within the scope of delegated authority.

Delivery of clear, concise, and well‑structured legal analysis and drafting on complex and sensitive legal matters. Comprehensive and timely legal research supporting informed organizational decision‑making. Timely preparation of sound written analysis of a variety of legal issues pertaining to commercial, finance, international, contract and constitutional law. Application of specialized expertise in preparing legal advice, which is easily understandable to staff members not trained in the field of law and appropriate in the context of diverse geographical environment of our operation. Proactive identification of opportunities to improve legal processes, methodologies, or approaches within the immediate work area Demonstrated adaptability and professionalism in engaging with a wide range of partners and stakeholders under evolving circumstances.

Education: Advanced University degree in Law, or First University degree in Law with additional relevant experience and training (preferably with specialization in commercial law, finance and banking law).

Typically eight years or more (three of which international) of relevant progressively responsible experience in law and provision of a wide range of legal services including to the senior managers or important clients..

• In‑depth technical expertise in commercial and finance law, including experience with innovative financing, cash‑based operations, and structuring and drafting complex contractual arrangements.

• Strong analytical judgment, solution‑oriented mindset, and ability to provide independent legal advice.

• Adaptability and ability to work on a wide range of legal issues.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outputs under tight deadlines.

• Experience or demonstrated understanding of data protection and technology law is an asset.

• Knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures is an advantage.

•  Ability to conduct legal work in French is an asset.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in oral and written English is required. Fluency (level C) in oral and written French and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.