Organizational Setting
FAO Azerbaijan Partnership and Liaison Office, in close cooperation with the government and its in-line Ministries/Agencies, contributes to the sustainable agri-food systems, and supports the government with addressing issues food security, agriculture and rural development, natural resource management in the country. FAOโs technical assistance, provided mainly through projects, includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among FAO member countries.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Azerbaijan, the programmatic guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, the technical supervision of the Legal Officer, Development Law Branch (LEGN) and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO).ย
Technical Focusย
The National Legal specialist will work in close coordination with the national counterpart, the Agrarian Service Agency (ASA) under The Ministry of Agriculture and the National Project Coordinator. The specialist will review ASAโs legislative framework across key areas, identify gaps, and recommend revisions based on international law and international good practices.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Conduct the review of the national legislation related to plant variety protection, seed management, phytosanitary protection, animal health and veterinary services and technical control and registration of agricultural machinery against applicable international treaties, standards and good regulatory practices. The relevant legislation may include the Laws of the Republic Azerbaijan on seed farming, selection achievements, protection and efficient use of genetic resources of cultivated plants and their phytosanitary control; veterinary medicine; laws on road traffic (as it relates to factory tests of tractors and self-propelled machinery and issuance of licenses). The specialist is expected to have a comprehensive understanding of all these areas, with a broader scope beyond just phytosanitary control of seeds.
โข ย ย Support other components of the project with legal content, particularly the work on agricultural mechanization.
โข ย ย Identify key areas for improvement in the legislative basis that would increase the effectiveness Agency`s activities, accommodate the restructuring/reorganization process and support the organization of the current and planned services of the Agency in the relevant areas by reviewing and analyzing the relevant legislation pertinent to the institutional restructuring process of the Agency and assist in developing a new or amended legal instrument that supports this improvement.
โข ย ย Coordinate with relevant international consultants and project partners, to discuss the content and the elements to be incorporated into the draft policy documents
โข ย ย Propose, as necessary, amendments to improve the national laws and regulations referred to above (plant variety protection, seed management, phytosanitary protection, animal health and veterinary services and technical control and registration of agricultural machinery) to ensure compliance with relevant international treaties, standards and good regulatory practicesย
โข ย ย Prepare a final report detailing the work produced including all draft amendment bill and/or regulationsย
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in Law
โข ย ย Minimum five years of relevant experience in agriculture-related legislation
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and Azerbaijani languages are required
โข ย ย National of Azerbaijan or resident in the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
โข ย ย Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners developing effective working relationships
โข ย ย Experience with UN system is considered an asset.