The World Food Programme (WFP) has invited applications for two Legal Officer P2 positions in its Legal Office at the organisation’s headquarters in Rome, Italy. The positions are International Professional roles and are open to candidates of all nationalities.
The opportunity is suitable for qualified lawyers with at least three years of progressively responsible legal experience. Candidates with experience in employment law and litigation can be particularly relevant for the positions.
The deadline to apply is October 13, 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time (Rome).
Legal Officer P2 Positions at WFP
The two positions will be based in the Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA) of WFP’s Legal Office. The branch provides legal advice to management on matters concerning the employment relationship between WFP and its personnel.
Legal Officers will contribute to providing legal advice and services to WFP offices globally. The work will normally be undertaken under the guidance of more senior Legal Officers, providing opportunities to develop legal advisory, analytical, drafting, advocacy and litigation skills in an international organisation.
The Legal Office follows a pooled service arrangement for positions at this level. Although the positions are based in LEGA, the selected candidates may be expected to undertake up to 50% of their work on matters handled by other branches of the Legal Office.
Work and Responsibilities
The selected Legal Officers will undertake legal research and analysis on substantive and procedural legal issues. They will review agreements, memoranda of understanding, contracts and other legal documents to identify legal issues and risks and ensure compliance with the applicable legal framework and jurisprudence.
The role also involves assisting with legal advice concerning WFP Regulations, Rules, Policies and Procedures, as well as applicable conventions, resolutions and agreements. Legal Officers will draft opinions, reports, memoranda, submissions, agreements and contracts.
The position includes work related to conduct and discipline, employment disputes, appeals and administrative proceedings. Legal Officers may also assist with the negotiation and settlement of claims, litigation submissions, arbitration and representation of WFP before administrative tribunals and other adjudicatory bodies.
Eligibility for Lawyers
Applicants must have an advanced university degree in Law, or a first university degree in Law combined with additional relevant experience and training in private, commercial or public law.
Candidates must also be qualified or admitted to practise law by a recognised national or state bar or law society.
A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in legal practice is required. This experience may have been gained in a law firm, international organisation, government service or company. Previous experience in litigation and/or employment law will be considered an asset.
Candidates must have fluency in written and spoken English. Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language, namely Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish, or Portuguese, is also required.
Salary and Benefits
WFP states that it offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with International Civil Service Commission standards. The package includes basic salary and post adjustment along with relocation entitlements, visa, travel and shipment allowances.
Selected candidates may also receive benefits including 30 days of annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan and medical insurance, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
The positions are fixed term appointments with a one year probationary period. They are classified as non rotational International Professional positions. Selected candidates will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up the assignment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the WFP online recruitment system. Applications sent through email, LinkedIn or other channels will not be considered.
At the application stage, candidates are required to submit their CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents may be requested at a later stage of the recruitment process.
The deadline for applications is October 13, 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time (Rome). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.
WFP also states that it does not charge any application, processing, training, interview or testing fee at any stage of recruitment.
