AO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.
People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The position is located in Maseru Lesotho
Reporting Lines
Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Lesotho, the technical supervision of the Legal Officer, Development Law Service (LEGN), and in close collaboration with the national counterparts from the Ministry of Agriculture of Lesotho and other relevant agencies, the International legal consultant, the national project coordinator (NPC), and other project team members, the national legal consultant will undertake the following duties:
Tasks and objectives to be achieved:
- Get familiar with the international legal framework related to pesticides management, including specifically the International code of conduct on pesticides management, the Rotterdam convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade and the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants; Draft a summary note describing each of these instruments, including the status of their implementation in Lesotho. Submit the summary note to the Legal Officer/International legal consultant for comments;
- Identify and collect the relevant policies and legislation related to pesticides management at national and sub-regional levels (SADC and other relevant RECs). This includes, inter alia, chemicals and hazardous-materials policies and legislation, waste and environmental policies and legislation, public health, animal health production, crop production policies and legislation. Submit the list of policies and legislation to the Legal Officer/International legal consultant for comments;
- Complete a legislation assessment tool on pesticides management, on the basis of a matrix provided by LEGN; Submit the matrix to the Legal Officer/International legal consultant for comments;
- Using the guidance document provided by LEGN, prepare a report with an analysis the national legislation then identified as relevant for pesticides management, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation with reference to the International code of conduct on pesticides management and providing concrete and detailed recommendations as to the legislative measures to address the gaps then identified; Complete the report with the summary note and the matrix referred to above;
- In collaboration with the national counterparts, identify the relevant stakeholders and facilitate detailed discussions with all relevant authorities aiming at identifying taking their views into account, throughout drafting of the report;
- Submit the then drafted report to the Legal Officer/International legal consultant for comments;
- On the basis of the drafting instructions provided by the International legal consultant, draft a new pesticides management bill, taking into consideration Lesotho’s legal system and legal drafting style;
- Submit the draft pesticides management bill to the International legal consultant, and improve the same as per his/her comments;
- Support the preparation of the mission of the International Legal Consultant and the FAO-LEGN officer, set up and attend all meetings necessary for the international experts to successfully complete their work;
- Participate in a national validation workshop and present the draft bill; In collaboration with the International Legal Consultant and the FAO-LEGN officer, seek the views of workshop participants;
- Improve the draft pesticides management bill as per the comments received during the national validation workshop;
- Submit the draft bill to the International legal consultant, finalize the same as per his/her recommendations;
- In collaboration with the International legal consultant, draft a final project report, comprising the assessment report and the final version of the draft pesticides management bill, and submit the final report to the Legal Officer for final clearance;
- Submit monthly activity reports to the FAO Representative and the Legal Officer, LEGN
- Carry out any other relevant activities as may be deemed necessary by the FAO Representative in Lesotho or the Legal Officer, LEGN.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- An advanced legal degree with specialization on environmental/health law
- Fluent in English
- National of Lesotho or resident in the country with a regular work permit.
- 5 years of experience in environmental law, chemicals related law
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Leading, Engaging and Empowering Others
Communication
- Partnering and Advocating
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
- Excellent legal drafting skills
- Familiar with the Lesotho legal system
| Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help, or have queries, please contact:[email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]