National Legal Specialist on Geographic Indications Legislation

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 person 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.

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. 

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

In this context, FAO Nepal is supporting the Government of Nepal to strengthen its institutional and legal frameworks related to Geographical Indications (GI) in line with international standards. aiming, as first priority, to assist in the development and enactment of the relevant national GI Legal framework and administrative architecture, including trough the revision and upgrading of the current Nepalese Legal framework for full compliance, with international GI agreements, and relevant standards.
The objective of the consultancy is to provide legal and technical support to the Project Manager of FAO Nepal to the Government of Nepal in the operational development of the national Geographical Indications (GI) system with a focus on:

•    Supporting the review and validation of the national GI legal framework prepared under the technical leadership of the International GI Legal Expert, ensuring compliance of legal review and proposed drafts with Nepalese legal drafting standards and legislative procedures.
•    Facilitating national dialogue and institutional coordination with competent authorities involved in GI governance.
•    Supporting the development of legal templates for the establishment of GI Inter‑Professional Associations (GI‑IPAs).
•    Developing roadmaps and procedures for the implementation of the GI legal framework and GI registration system.
•    Providing legal support to the preparation and registration of pilot GI Book of Specifications (BoS) and related GI Inter‑Professional Associations producer organizations.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, in close consultation with Assistant FAOR (Programme), the Project Manager, in direct coordination and under the technical guidance of the International Legal Consultant, with additional support from a LEGN Officer, and in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), technical guidance from RAP-GI Team, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide legal and technical support to FAO Nepal and the Government of Nepal for the operational development of the national Geographical Indications (GI) system. This includes supporting the review and validation of the GI legal framework in line with Nepalese legislative standards, facilitating institutional coordination among responsible authorities, developing legal templates and procedures for GI Inter‑Professional Associations, and guiding the implementation of the GI registration system. The assignment also supports the preparation and registration of pilot GI Books of Specifications and associated producer organizations.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Ensuring the proposed legislation does not overlap or create legal gaps within the Nepalese national legal system and, to this end, review and revise the report prepared by the international legal consultant, ensure the list of compiled legislation is complete, and propose amendments and updates as necessary.
•    Support the review of draft GI legal provisions prepared under the leadership of the International GI Legal Consultant. This includes reviewing proposed legal amendments and drafts ensuring compliance with Nepalese legislative drafting standards and providing recommendations to facilitate legal review, adoption and implementation by the competent authorities. 
•    Support institutional coordination process led by FAO-Nepal’s Project Manager by preparing background legal notes, briefing materials, and summaries related to consultations with the Department of Industry (DoI), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to support the development and operationalization of the GI system and monitor progress of the GI legal development process. 
•    Provide analytical legal inputs to support FAO led assessments of institutional mandates, roles, and responsibilities for GI administration, certification, and protection, including support to establish a competent GI authority or strengthen existing institutional mechanisms.
•    Draft and propose model legal templates and guidance documents for review and validation to support the establishment of GI Inter‑Professional Associations including statutes, internal regulations, membership rules, and governance procedures.
•    In close collaboration with the Legal Office, support FAO-led legal orientation and capacity‑building activities of public institutions, legal practitioners, and relevant stakeholders on GI law, enforcement mechanisms, and international obligations by providing technical inputs during workshops or briefing sessions as requested.
•    Contribute to the documentation of legal best practices and lessons learned from the implementation process to inform national and regional stakeholders for consolidation and dissemination by FAO. 
•    Develop a practical roadmap, under the guidance of Project Manager and the Legal Office, identifying key steps required for the adoption and implementation of the GI legal framework including institutional roles, registration procedures, and control mechanisms.
•    Prepare guidance and procedures to support FAO led processes for the legal registration and governance of GI Inter‑Professional Associations responsible for managing registered GIs.
•    Provide legal support to the development and registration of pilot GI Inter‑Professional Associations, under overall FAO supervision and in close coordination with the Legal Office.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in Law, with specialization in Intellectual Property Rights, Trade Law, Agriculture law, or related legal fields.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in legal advisory, preferably related to intellectual property rights, trade law, or agri-food legislation.
•    Working knowledge of English and Nepali (written and spoken)
•    National of Nepal or resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Advanced legal drafting and analysis skills in Geographical Indications and intellectual property law, with demonstrated ability to align legal texts with Nepalese legislative standards. 
•    Strong technical knowledge of GI systems and international legal instruments, e.g TRIPS, Lisbon Agreement and related frameworks, and their national implementation. 
•    Proven experience supporting legal and regulatory reforms, including development of regulations, legal templates, procedural guides, and implementation roadmaps. 
•    Effective institutional coordination and capacity building skills, with experience working with government counterparts and producing high quality technical guidance and reports.

Selection Criteria

•    Proven ability to conduct legal reviews, draft legal texts, and provide policy advice.
•    Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
•    Strong understanding of Nepal’s legal and institutional landscape on IPR.
•    Experience working with government ministries, particularly on policy formulation, legal drafting, or regulatory reform.

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: Careers@fao.org
• 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/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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