Secretary, Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee was established by the Director-General of FAO to: (i) hear appeals lodged by individual staff members and former staff members of FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) regarding a grievance arising out of a disciplinary action or an administrative decision which staff members allege to be in conflict, either in substance or in form, with the terms of their appointment or with any pertinent Staff Regulation, Staff Rule or administrative directive; and (ii) make recommendations to the Director-General in cases of appeal.

FAO has accepted the jurisdiction of the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT).

The Appeals Committee is served by an independent Secretariat, comprising a Secretary, Alternate Secretary and support staff. The Secretariat receives the appeals and documents submitted in the course of the proceedings and replies to requests for information. The Secretary of the Appeals Committee supports the Appeals Committee in the delivery of its mandate by providing legal and administrative support.

The Appeals Committee and the Secretariat are administratively attached to the Corporate Logistics and Operational Support Stream, and in particular to the Director, Logistics Services Division (CSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Appeals Committee is an autonomous office. The Secretary, Appeals Committee reports to the Chair or, in his/her absence, the Alternate Chair of the Appeals Committee.

Technical Focus

Public international law, law of international civil service, and international administrative law.

Key Results

The Secretary, Appeals Committee directs the Secretariat and includes, in general terms, the planning and delivery of multidisciplinary legal-related activities, including rules of procedure, services, advice and administrative support to the Appeals Committee.

Key Functions

• Receive correspondence, pleadings, evidence and other documentation submitted to the Appeals Committee and transmit them, as appropriate, to the parties;
• Verify, for each appeal, whether the documentation submitted is in line with the rules governing the Organization’s internal appeal process;
• Issue notifications as required in the Organization’s rules related to appeals or upon instruction by the Chair or the Alternate Chair in connection with proceedings before the Appeals Committee;
• Advise appellants or their counsel on the procedure to be followed. At the request of staff members, meet staff members who wish to file an appeal in order to clarify the internal appeal process, including the administrative review of administrative decisions taken by the Organization;
• Establish and manage the electronic casefile including filing and notification dates and ensure confidentiality of the Appeals Committee’s records as per the Organization’s regulations and rules, and data protection policy;
• Make proposals to the Chair of the Appeals Committee for the hearing list, if appropriate, and coordinate hearings of the Appeals Committee and composition of the Appeals Committee members which will hear the cases, in consultation with the Chair;
• Identify issues and advise on a wide range of complex and sensitive legal matters involving application of administrative/employment law;
• Draft a summary of the facts, the key arguments of the parties, and identify the main legal issues raised in each appeal case;
• Coordinate the necessary administrative arrangements and services required by the Appeals Committee for the proper exercise of its functions;
• Provide technical/legal advice and guidelines on regulations, rules, policies, Administrative Manual provisions to the Chair and Appeals Committee members, as appropriate;
• Prepare draft reports containing the Appeals Committee recommendation(s) concerning an appeal and submit them to the Chair and Appeals Committee members prior to subsequent on-forwarding to the Director-General;
• Draw up election procedures and oversee the election of staff-elected members of the Appeals Committee;
• Organize and provide training for new Appeals Committee members explaining the Appeals Committee’s procedures, practices, duties and obligations, aiming at preparing them to participate fully in the Committee’s work and contribute effectively to its deliberations;
• Perform any other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree in law combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience and with completion of professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Ten (10) years of legal experience relevant to the functions stated above, including experience in an international setting, in reviewing and advising on administrative and employment law.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of French.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in administrative law and the law of the international civil service.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing and advising on administrative cases related to the internal justice system of international organizations, including disciplinary and performance management cases, benefits, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting legal and policy documents, position papers and briefing notes on sensitive matters involving considerable complexity.
• Extent of knowledge and experience with information management systems related to legal is desirable.
• Experience with the United Nations common system is considered a strong asset.
• Experience as an advocate/litigator before courts and tribunals on administrative and employment law is desirable.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of French is desirable.

Job Posting

13/Dec/2023

Closure Date

03/Jan/2024, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

CSL

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-5

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number

2009979

CCOG Code

1G02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

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• 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
• Everyone who works for FAO is 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 that is 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
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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