Apply Today! FAO Legal Specialist (Development Law)- Remote Work (2025)

About FAO and Its Global Mandate

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, established in 1945, serves as a specialized UN agency leading the global fight against hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. With 195 members—including 194 countries and the European Union—FAO’s work spans more than 130 countries, engaging governments, institutions, development agencies, and civil society organizations.

FAO’s primary objectives include:

✔ Ensuring Food Security

Ensuring that all people have regular access to nutritious, safe, and culturally acceptable food needed for a healthy and active life.

✔ Supporting Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices that preserve biodiversity, protect the climate, and promote resource efficiency.

✔ Strengthening Global Legal and Policy Frameworks

Developing strategies, guidelines, and legal tools that help governments govern resources effectively and advance national and regional legislation in line with global standards and international agreements.

✔ Supporting Countries Through Technical Assistance

Providing expertise in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food policy, rural development, and other technical areas.

FAO’s Legal Office, specifically the Development Law Branch (LEGN), plays a crucial role in translating global commitments into national legal frameworks that countries can adopt, adapt, and implement effectively.

The Development Law Branch (LEGN): Role in International Development

The Development Law Branch of FAO is responsible for providing member states with legal advisory services across all mandated areas of the organization. This includes support related to:

Food safety and food law
Veterinary and phytosanitary regulations
Environmental protection
Water law and soil governance
Climate change mitigation and adaptation frameworks
Agricultural contracts, financial mechanisms, and market regulations
Land tenure systems
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
Forestry governance
Biodiversity protection

One of LEGN’s core functions is the development and dissemination of legal information and knowledge through FAOLEX, a global legal database containing national legislation, treaties, and policy documents relevant to FAO’s areas of work.

As FAO continues to integrate One Health, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and food systems transformation into its global priorities, LEGN requires a roster of highly qualified experts capable of contributing to the development, analysis, harmonization, and reform of relevant legislation.

Why This Role Matters: Importance of Legal Specialists in Development Law

Legal frameworks serve as the backbone for national governance, resource management, and public policy. Clear, effective, and enforceable legislation ensures the functioning of fair, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. For this reason, the work of a Legal Specialist (Development Law) is essential for nations striving to meet global commitments such as:

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change
The One Health Joint Action Plan
International agreements related to food safety, biodiversity, and trade
National strategies for climate adaptation, agricultural modernization, and environmental protection

Legal specialists contribute to government reform processes by drafting policy instruments, shaping regulations, conducting legal research, and building institutional capacities. Their work directly influences how countries manage natural resources, regulate agriculture and food systems, protect public health, support rural communities, and implement effective climate change adaptation measures.

Position Overview: Legal Specialist (Development Law)

FAO is establishing a roster of qualified consultants and PSA contract holders to support legal assignments at global, regional, and national levels. These assignments are home-based, with the possibility of travel depending on project requirements. Depending on expertise and availability, contracts range from several days up to 11 months.

This role is ideal for professionals seeking:

International development law experience
Consultancy roles in global organizations
Remote legal specialist jobs
NGO and UN job opportunities
Agricultural policy and environmental law roles
Research and legislative drafting experience

Reporting Structure

Legal Specialists will operate under the general supervision of the Chief of the Development Law Branch (LEGN). Depending on the assignment, they may also collaborate with country offices, regional offices, external partners, government stakeholders, and teams of national and international consultants.

Technical Focus Areas

This call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) targets legal experts with specialization in one or more of the following:

🌱 Food and Agriculture Legislation

Including policies related to farming systems, rural development, and agricultural governance.

🐄 Veterinary and Phytosanitary Legislation

Covering animal health, plant health, disease control, biosecurity, and biosafety.

🍏 Food Safety and Food Law

Encompassing food quality standards, food contamination prevention, labeling requirements, and inspection systems.

🍂 Food Loss and Waste

Addressing legislation governing waste reduction, circular economy, and sustainable food supply chains.

🌍 Environmental Law & Pollution Control

Laws related to contamination, chemicals, emissions, and natural resource management.

🌡 Climate Change Legislation

Focusing on adaptation, mitigation, carbon management, resilience strategies, and climate governance mechanisms.

💧 Soil and Water Legislation

Ensuring sustainable and equitable use of essential natural resources.

🐪 Pastoralism and Land Use Policies

Addressing mobility, grazing rights, and customary governance.

📑 Agricultural Contracts & Finance Mechanisms

Including legal frameworks for insurance, investments, subsidies, and market regulation.

🧬 One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Connecting human, animal, and environmental health within legal systems.

Professionals with experience in any of these domains will be considered for various assignments as part of the FAO consultant roster.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Specialists on assignment under FAO may be responsible for the following:

1. Legal Research and Analysis

Conduct research on complex areas of development law, agricultural legislation, and international legal standards.
Prepare analytical papers, guidance documents, briefing notes, and comparative legislative studies.
Identify gaps and provide solutions to improve national and regional legal frameworks.
Support countries in aligning their laws with international instruments and best practices.

2. Legal Drafting and Legislative Reform

Draft legal texts such as bills, regulations, ministerial decrees, guidelines, and policy instruments.
Contribute to participatory legal drafting processes involving governments, civil society, and technical experts.
Review and revise draft legislation to ensure clarity, enforceability, and alignment with FAO’s operational mandates.

3. Project Implementation Support

Assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development law projects.
Collaborate with national and international consultants and experts.
Support missions, workshops, assessments, and field activities.
Liaise with government officials, NGOs, private-sector stakeholders, and academic institutions.

4. Capacity Development

Design and implement training programmes on legal topics related to food safety, agriculture, climate resilience, environmental management, and more.
Prepare teaching materials, toolkits, manuals, presentations, and outreach resources.
Organize national workshops, webinars, regional conferences, and technical meetings.

5. International Legal Harmonization

Support countries in negotiating and implementing international agreements.
Draft international instruments and provide guidance on treaty compliance.
Engage in harmonization processes with regional bodies and intergovernmental organizations.

6. Communication, Outreach, and Knowledge Sharing

Contribute to LEGN’s communication and advocacy activities.
Prepare content for websites, newsletters, legal databases, and FAOLEX.
Support the dissemination of legal information to global audiences.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must meet the following minimum criteria:

🎓 Academic Qualifications

An advanced university degree in Law from a recognized institution (IAU/UNESCO).
A Bachelor’s degree in Law combined with a PhD is an added advantage.

🧑‍💼 Professional Experience

At least 1 year of relevant practical experience, which may include legal research, drafting, policy development, or consultancy.

🌐 Language Requirements

Working knowledge of English (Level C) is essential.
Knowledge of additional UN languages—such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian—is a strong asset.

FAO Core Competencies

Successful legal specialists should demonstrate the following organizational competencies:

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Improvement

Technical and Functional Skills

Additional preferred skills include:

Experience supporting legal reforms at national level.
Familiarity with agricultural, food safety, environmental, climate, or veterinary legal frameworks.
Understanding of international organizations, regional entities, and government systems.
Knowledge of project management, planning, and financial reporting.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and communication abilities.
Proficiency in MS Office tools.

FAO’s Values and Workplace Principles

FAO upholds principles of:

Commitment to FAO’s mission
Respect for all people regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, or ability
Integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct

FAO maintains zero tolerance for:

Sexual exploitation and abuse
Sexual harassment
Discrimination
Abuse of authority

All selected candidates undergo background checks, and all applications are handled with strict confidentiality.

Conditions and Additional Information

Important notes for all applicants:

FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment.
Only qualifications recognized by IAU/UNESCO and listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) will be considered.
Selected applicants must meet health, residency, and security requirements.
Personal information may be shared internally or with authorized third parties for recruitment support services.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

Visit the FAO recruitment portal (Jobs at FAO).
Create or update their online profile.
Ensure all employment history, academic credentials, and language skills are complete and accurate.
Upload a letter of motivation.
Submit the application before the closing date.
APPLY HERE.

Applicants may be asked to provide:

Performance assessments
Authorization for background checks
Verification of academic and professional records

YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE!

Conclusion

For legal professionals aspiring to contribute meaningfully to global food systems, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development, the Legal Specialist (Development Law) role offers a rewarding and impactful career pathway. Whether you are an early-career lawyer, a seasoned legal expert, a consultant seeking remote assignments, or an academic specializing in development law, this FAO roster opportunity opens the door to contributing to critical legal reforms that shape the future of agriculture, health, and environmental governance worldwide.