Organizational Setting
The post is located in the Office of the Deputy Director‑General at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Office supports the strategic coordination and oversight functions of the Divisions/Offices/Centres under the DDG. It ensures an enabling environment for FAO's delivery, optimising management systems, administrative service delivery and operational support across all locations, and coordinates decentralized offices.
Reporting Lines
The Administrative Review Officer reports to the Deputy Director‑General.
Technical Focus
Public international law, law of the international civil service and international administrative law.
Key Results
The Officer provides support to planners and delivers multidisciplinary legal activities, giving recommendations to the Deputy Director‑General on administrative review requests received by the Organization.
Key Functions

Receive correspondence, pleas, evidence and other documentation submitted for an administrative review request.
Verify that the submitted documentation complies with applicable rules.
Issue notifications as required in relation to a request for administrative review or upon instruction by the Deputy Director‑General.
Provide advice on substantive and procedural questions.
Ensure an electronic case file for each request, maintaining confidentiality.
Identify issues and manage complex HR and legal matters.
Draft a summary of facts and key arguments of the parties and identify main issues raised.
Provide the Deputy Director‑General with relevant information and expert advice on applicable regulations, rules, policies and precedents.
Prepare draft replies to requests for administrative review and submit them for consideration.
Support work related to improving workplace culture and relationships.
Review and recommend updates to the FAO Manual as required.
Perform any other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in law. Alternatively, a first‑level university law degree plus at least two additional years of relevant work experience and completion of a professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction.
Seven years of legal experience relevant to the functions above, including international experience, reviewing and advising on administrative and employment law.
Proficient (C level) knowledge of English and intermediate (B level) knowledge 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 / Functional Skills

Work experience in multiple locations or areas, particularly field positions.
Experience in administrative and international civil service law.
Experience managing and advising on administrative cases in the internal justice system of international organisations.
Experience drafting legal and policy documents, position papers, briefing notes on sensitive complex matters.
Experience with information management systems related to legal matters is desirable.
Experience with the United Nations system in HR and administrative procedures, including legal matters, is a strong asset.
Advocacy/litigation experience before courts and tribunals on administrative and employment law is desirable.
Experience implementing change‑management initiatives is desirable.
Proficient (C level) knowledge of French is highly desirable.

Job Posting
11 Nov 2025
Closure Date
02 Dec 2025, 11:59 PM
Organizational Unit
DDCM
Job Type
Staff position
Type of Requisition
Professional
Grade Level
P‑4
Primary Location
Italy‑Rome
Duration
Fixed‑term: one year with possibility of extension
Post Number
2010343
CCOG Code
1G
Important Notice
Please note that the Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device.
Internal Appointment Note
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
Equal Opportunity Statement

FAO is committed to achieving 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.
All FAO employees are required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values.
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, 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 will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Applications will be treated with strictest confidentiality.
FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General, who may assign them to any activity or office.

FAO Mission
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (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.
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