Organizational Setting

The Legal Office of FAO ensures that FAO’s activities are carried out in accordance with its Constitution and the other Basic Texts of the Organization, consistent with its status as an intergovernmental organization of the United Nations system, and that its relations with governments, organizations and individuals are based on a sound legal basis.

The Development Service of the Law Office (LEGN) provides legal advisory services to governments 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 general agricultural issues (institutions, trade, economic reform).

FAO, UNEP and the CBD Secretariat will implement a tripartite collaboration aimed at expanding knowledge and increasing the visibility around the role of legislation for biosafety, primarily through the development and broad dissemination of a diagnostic tool to analyze national legislation and identify gaps in the implementation of the CPB in addition to the provision of technical drafting assistance to a limited number of countries. Through the combined activities a total of four countries will receive direct technical legal assistance from FAO, while a larger group of countries will benefit from capacity-building, outreach and awareness-raising activities aimed at the development of biosafety legislation to ensure the full implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and, as applicable, the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress.

Reporting Lines

The Legal Expert on Biosafety reports to the Chief, LEGN while day-to-day supervision is provided by a designated Legal Officer (LEGN).

Technical Focus 

Legal research and advisory services to Governments in relation to food and agriculture and biosafety legislation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct technical supervision of the project’s LTO and Legal Officer and in close collaboration with the international legal specialist as well as the project task force members that include UNEP and SCBD, the Legal Expert on Biosafety will undertake the following tasks:
•    Develop a national legal assessment report identifying gaps in legislation and recommendations to address those, considering the national legal, policy and institutional frameworks in place and international obligations, including in particular those under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress;
•    Organize and conduct consultations with all relevant national stakeholders ensuring their involvement in the development of the assessment report;
•    On the basis of the National Legal Assessment Report’s recommendations, lead the drafting and consultation process of a Draft Biosafety Law, through a consultative process involving all national stakeholders;
•    Finalize the necessary amendments and/or draft legislation on the basis of consultation and revision processes, and ensure that a final product that includes an explanatory note is delivered in time;
•    Lead and facilitate two (2) national workshops on biosafety legislation involving all relevant national stakeholders, to discuss recommendations and ensure that stakeholder views are considered and reflected as necessary in the final legislative proposals;
•    Prepare an event report after each national workshop providing a procedural description of the workshop as well as an overview of substantive input provided;
•    Contribute to outreach and awareness-raising efforts in the context of the project, in particular by supporting the establishment partnerships with countries in the region that wish to benefit from the experience gained in the project, and by liaising with countries engaging online in capacity-building elements of the workshops;
•    Contribute to the reporting efforts of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Law.
•    At least five (5) years of relevant legal work experience – research, analysis and drafting.
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Applicants must have demonstrated interest in the technical areas listed above, as well as strong analytical, legal research and writing skills.

Selection Criteria

•    Advanced Legal degree (LLM) or university degree in an area closely related to biosafety or biodiversity would be an asset
•    Knowledge and experience in legal issues related to a relevant technical areas;
•    Experience in developing national legislative and regulatory measures to implement international agreements, codes, guidelines or other instruments;
•    Experience in legal drafting and development;
•    Ability to conduct legal research and analysis;
•    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;