Legal Officer (Operations) [ROME, P3] in London

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national, and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

LEG provides guidance and advice to IFAD's Management and Governing Bodies on all legal aspects of IFAD's operations and administration as IFAD strives to mobilize resources for, as well as to design and implement, agricultural development and projects in its Member States. The office ensures that IFAD complies with the Agreement Establishing IFAD, Rules and Procedures of the Governing Bodies and other relevant laws and obligations and proposes new legal frameworks, instruments, and guidance that will help the organization meet new challenges with respect to designing and implementing IFAD's program of work, resource mobilization and capacity to respond to global events.

The post is at the full working level in the field of general legal services and plays an important role in supporting the legal framework of IFAD's operations. At this level the incumbent requires a complete, in-depth knowledge of the technical concepts and tools of the legal profession. They have the capacity to adapt approaches and models to meet emerging needs and to ensure the continuing relevance of LEG to the Fund and external partners.

The assigned work is accomplished mainly independently where precedent and/or practice exist, and any complex and/or sensitive issues are brought to the attention to the General Counsel (GC), a Deputy General Counsel (DGC), and a Senior Legal Officer.

• RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Conducts research and analysis, and prepares studies, reports and correspondence on legal issues concerning the operations of the Fund. Provides interpretation of legal instruments, such as treaties, constitutions, statutes, rules and regulations, and other legal materials relevant to IFAD's work.
• LEGAL ADVICE AND OPINIONS: Provides legal advice and opinions on issues concerning the operations and mandate of IFAD, and assists departments, divisions and units of IFAD on all legal matters, including advice on legal aspects of the design and implementation of projects and/or administrative law matters. Provides legal advice to internal committees and interdepartmental meetings, as well as assistance in resolving procedural and substantive issues at meetings.
• LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS: Prepares, and reviews drafts of, legal instruments, contracts and agreements; internal rules and regulations; and other legal materials related to IFAD's operations. Performs other related duties as assigned by the GC and/or DGC, which may include legal work related to institutional, operations, financial, impact investments, corporate and administrative matters.
• KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: Shares the results of legal research and analysis with colleagues in LEG, and ensures that legal opinions and instruments prepared are readily available for use by colleagues through proper entry in the legal files and/or database of the Office, as appropriate.
• MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of assigned IFAD resources, including, as applicable, staff supervised.

Level - A first level university degree in law or another relevant field (e.g., LL.B.) An advanced university degree in law (e.g., LL.M. or J.D., or equivalent) is highly desirable and considered an asset. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to, international law, administrative law, commercial or economic law or other related disciplines.

At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the analysis of legal documents, research on legal practices and precedents, and the application of legal principles and concepts needed to perform the assigned activities. The professional experience must include at least two years at the international level in international organizations, financial institutions or international financial institutions.

A recognized qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction of a Member State (civil or common law). This may include, depending on the jurisdiction, bar admission, state legal examinations, regulated legal traineeships, or licensing by a competent national authority. The Organization reserves the right to assess the equivalence of legal qualifications obtained under different national systems.

English and another IFAD official language (Arabic, French or Spanish) (4 - Excellent)