The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is recruiting a Young Professional Officer (Legal) for its Legal Office at headquarters in Rome, Italy, through the Young Professionals Programme. The P-1 staff position comes with a two-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension, and it is open to lawyers with a master's degree in law, one year of relevant experience and an age of 32 or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. Applications close on 18 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the complete vacancy and set out every function, requirement and benefit below.
Vacancy Details
🏛️ Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
⚖️ Unit: Legal Office (LEG), General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA)
🆔 Job Number: 2602214
💼 Type: Staff position, Professional category
🎚️ Grade: P-1
📝 Contract: Fixed-term, two years with possibility of extension
📍 Duty station: Rome, Italy (FAO headquarters)
🎂 Age limit: 32 or younger as of 31 December of the year of application
📆 Closing date: 18 November 2026, 10:59:00 PM (shown according to the date and time settings of your device)
FAO and the 2030 Agenda
FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 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. FAO also treats its commitment to environmental sustainability as integral to its strategic objectives and operations.
The Young Professionals Programme
The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under-represented countries, helping them start a career as international civil servants with FAO. Priority consideration is given to candidates from:
🏝️ Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
🌱 Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
🏔️ Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
🌍 Developing countries in general
Inside the FAO Legal Office
The Legal Office (LEG) provides authoritative legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues to the Director-General, units at headquarters and in the field, the Governing and Statutory Bodies and the Members of the Organization.
What the General Legal Affairs Service Covers
The position sits in the General Legal Affairs Service (LEGA), which advises all units of the Organization and its Governing and Statutory Bodies on:
📜 Constitutional questions and the interpretation of FAO's Basic Texts
🌐 International treaties
📘 Internal legal rules and policies
🤝 Legal aspects of relations with the Host and other Governments, other international organisations, the private sector and other entities
👥 Specific legal aspects of personnel matters
LEGA also represents FAO in judicial proceedings and in the settlement of disputes.
Reporting Lines and Technical Focus
🧭 The Young Professional Officer (Legal) reports to the designated (Senior) Legal Officer under the overall guidance of the Legal Counsel
🔎 Technical focus: public international law, law of international organisations/constitutional law, international administrative law and contract law
🎯 Key results: research, technical analysis and project-related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services
Key Functions
📊 Analyse, from a legal perspective, relevant technical, social, economic, environmental and technology information, data and statistics for input into various documents
🗂️ Maintain records and update databases and web pages
🛠️ Provide technical support to various projects
🎓 Collaborate in developing training tools and materials and organising workshops and seminars
📅 Take part in organising and following up meetings, consultations and conferences, producing the required materials and providing information and assistance to partners
Specific Legal Functions
🛡️ Assist in preparing legal advice on matters related to FAO's operations and status, including privileges and immunities of the Organization and its personnel, and the conclusion of host country agreements and operational arrangements
📑 Assist in preparing legal advice on complex contractual arrangements, including the receipt of voluntary contributions, modalities for collaboration with partners including the private sector, and innovative modalities that promote FAO's operations and meet unique needs in support of its mandate
👔 Assist in advising on legal aspects of human resources matters, including appeals within the internal justice system and before the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, disciplinary processes, policy review and clearance, and other requests
🏛️ Assist in preparing legal advice on matters linked to FAO Governing and Statutory Bodies, prepare the relevant documentation and consult counterparts in other United Nations Specialized Agencies and relevant entities
🌾 Provide legal support for legal activities, services and products related to the Organization's mandate, in support of the FAO Strategic Objectives, Regional Initiatives and related Delivery Mechanisms, including alignment with the Organization's Policy on Gender Equality
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Minimum Requirements
🎓 Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in law
🗓️ One year of relevant experience in public international law, law of international organisations, international administrative law and contract law
🗣️ Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency level B) of another FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish
Competencies
🎯 Results Focus
🤝 Teamwork
💬 Communication
🔗 Building Effective Relationships
📚 Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical and Functional Skills Assessed
🗺️ Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable
🌐 Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an advantage
⚖️ Extent and relevance of experience in giving legal advice on public international law, law of international organisations, international administrative law and contracts, preferably in an international setting
🏢 Extent of knowledge of the United Nations system and of the work of a legal office of an intergovernmental organisation
🪪 Admission to practise law in a national jurisdiction is an advantage
🔬 Ability to carry out legal research and analysis
✍️ Extent and relevance of experience in drafting, reviewing and advising on legal texts and issues
Conditions of Service and Benefits
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered, and information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits is available through the link in the Links section. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
👶 Dependency allowances
🏠 Rental subsidy
🧒 Education grant for children
✈️ 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
♿ Disability protection
Workplace Culture at FAO
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity, with measures through which all staff contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization:
👪 Elements of family-friendly policies
🕒 Flexible working arrangements
📏 Standards of conduct
FAO is a non-smoking environment.
Diversity, Integrity and Conduct
🌐 FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
🙌 Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
🧭 Everyone who works for FAO must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and uphold FAO's values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All, and Integrity and Transparency
🚫 As a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, FAO has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
🔎 All selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks
🔒 All applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality
📌 FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization
Appointment Conditions
🔄 Extension of fixed-term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
🧾 The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates is set according to the applicable policies on the extension of appointments
⛔ FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment
🏥 Appointment is subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit, and to accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances
How to Apply
🖥️ Visit the Jobs at FAO recruitment website and complete your online profile, making sure it is accurate and complete, including employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
✉️ Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile
📤 Once your profile is complete, apply and submit your application
🎓 FAO only considers higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / UNESCO, and the qualifications should align with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings
🔍 Candidates may be asked for performance assessments and authorisation to verify past and present work, character, education, military and police records
❌ Incomplete applications will not be considered
🤝 Personal information may be shared within FAO and with companies acting on its behalf for services such as pre-screening, assessment tests and background checks; you give consent before submitting and can withdraw it by withdrawing your application
📥 Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal are considered, and screening is based on the information in your online profile
⏰ Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the deadline
🆘 For help or queries, create a one-time registration with FAO's client support team
Browse more roles with UN agencies in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age limit for the FAO Young Professional Officer (Legal)?
Candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application. The post is part of FAO's Young Professionals Programme.
What contract does FAO offer for this position?
It is a P-1 staff position with a fixed-term appointment of two years and the possibility of extension. Extensions depend on certification of performance and availability of funds.
What qualifications are required?
You need an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in law and one year of relevant experience in public international law, law of international organisations, international administrative law and contract law.
Which languages do I need?
Working knowledge (level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) are required. Level C in a second FAO language is an advantage.
Who gets priority in the Young Professionals Programme?
Priority consideration goes to candidates from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and developing countries in general. The programme mainly targets nationals of non- and under-represented countries.
Do I need to be admitted to the bar?
No, but admission to practise law in a national jurisdiction is listed as an advantage in the technical and functional skills assessed.
What documents should I submit?
Complete your online profile with employment records, academic qualifications and language skills, and attach a letter of motivation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
What benefits come with the role?
FAO offers a competitive compensation package plus, subject to eligibility, dependency allowances, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave travel, 30 working days of annual leave, UN pension fund entitlements and international health insurance.
Deadline
⏳ 18 November 2026
Links
Apply online: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2602214
UN salaries, allowances and benefits: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
World Higher Education Database (WHED): https://www.whed.net/
FAO client support team: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
