The World Food Programme (WFP) celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
Legal Internship – Legal Office, World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVISION:
The Legal Office provides support for WFP’s mission through its three branches – the Administrative and Employment Law Branch (LEGA), the Contractual and Constitutional Law Branch (LEGC) and the Maritime, Transport and Insurance Law Branch (LEGM). The incumbent will be selected to work in one of the three branches, with the possibility of being involved in some cross-functional work between branches.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Positions: Up to 4
- Supervisor: Legal Officer, as assigned
- Unit: LEG
- Country: Italy
- Duty Station: Rome
- Duration of internship: Minimum 2 months
- Expected Start Date: between May/July 2026
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of a Legal Officer, the candidate may perform the following duties:
- Conduct legal research into and assist in interpreting WFP’s regulations and rules and other internal normative sources of law, and public international law, including but not limited to international treaties governing privileges and immunities and the jurisprudence of the international tribunals, such as the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal;
- Prepare legal briefs, opinions, memoranda and correspondence;
- Interpret and apply international treaties, and assist in drafting diplomatic communications to the governments of countries in which WFP works;
- Assist in the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial contracts and agreements with governments, UN agencies, international and national partners and vendors;
- Study legal questions relating to procurement, shipping, aviation, land transport, insurance, and commercial and contract law;
- Analyse and assess evidence collected in cases involving alleged employee misconduct;
- Assist in the preparation, pursuit and negotiation of claims;
- Perform other related duties as required.
How to Apply:
- Interested applicants should submit their applications to leginternship@wfp.org with a CV and a Cover letter in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Closing Date:
Please note that the deadline is 4 January 2026 Rome time (GMT + 1)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
- WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
- Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, siblings.