Call for Applications
Deadline: 17 June 2022
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is an independent intergovernmental organisation based in Rome (Italy). Its team of professionals and technical support staff works to modernise, harmonise and co-ordinate private and in particular commercial law as between States and groups of States by preparing treaties, model laws, principles, legal guides and other types of uniform law instruments.
In the context of a UNIDROIT - Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chair Programme the UNIDROIT Secretariat is currently inviting applications for the position of Chair Holder/ Researcher
In January 2022, UNIDROIT received a grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) to host a Chair Programme in the field of Private Law and Sustainable Development. This Programme aims at, more generally, involving a senior or mid-career professor/researcher in the development of the UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD project on Legal Structure of Agricultural Enterprises (herein LSAE project). The candidate is expected to assist the Secretariat with comparative research and data collection, as well as with the analysis of gender equality in the various collaborative forms of agricultural enterprises considered within the LSAE project. In addition, the prospective Chair Holder will cooperate with the Unidroit Secretariat in activities for the implementation of other legal guides already developed by Unidroit in the field of Private Law and Agrictultural Development (e.g. Contract Farming and Agricultural Land Investment Contracts).
Ideal candidate: the UNIDROIT /MAECI Chair Holder must have consolidated experience in the field of comparative private and agricultural law and economics. The ideal candidate should have:
- an outstanding academic record (LLM/equivalent and, preferably PhD/JursD);
- an interest in, and a solid knowledge of commercial, contract and corporate law applied to the agricultural field, or proven experience in economic and/or socioligical analysis in the agricultural sector, with especial focus in developing markets. Special knowledge and experience concerning the challenges faced by smallholders and small and mediumsized agricultural enterprises to access markets, technology, sustainability and financial resources would be positively considered;
- five or more years of experience as an academic/lawyer/jurist/legal officer/economist, at a law firm, international organisation, research institution, university or national government in matters pertaining directly to the UNIDROIT and its work in agricultural development.
Preference will be given to women candidates from developing countries, in particular coming from countries of the African continent given the particular challenges that still exist in a number of these countries for the engagement of women in collaborative agricultural enterprises.
Indicative list of activities: The Chair Holder’s activities will include, among others, the following:
- "gender analysis" of the Legal Structure of Agricultural Enterprises documents already prepared and identification of the main legal challenges (focusing on private law issues);
- identification of best agricultural contractual and corporate practices in national legal frameworks for smallhoders and MSMEs;
- organisation of meetings, consultations and stakeholder dialogue;
- dissemination of legal guides already adopted UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD
Duration of the appointment: The envisaged duration of the appointment is 12 months: September 2022 – September 2023. Subject to satisfactory results and to successfully completing the necessary administrative procedures in both institutions, a second period, of equal duration, may be posted for applications upon finalisation of the current one.
Place of work: The successful candidate will be expected to work from UNIDROIT´s Seat or remotely as necessary. However, the candidate should plan to be at least 50% (six months) of the work time in Rome (Italy). This position is also open to candidates who have parallel research and/or academic engagements, provided the contractual deliverables and deadlines are met.
Compensation: The Chair Programme is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provides for fixed net fee of €3,000.00 per month, payable as per terms and conditions governed by article 50 of the UNIDROIT Regulations. Medical coverage will also be provided.
Language requirements: excellent level of written and spoken English; other languages (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish) are considered an additional asset.
Application deadline: application should be addressed to the Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Ignacio Tirado, including a cover letter and CV, which must outline how the candidate’s professional experience and profile would benefit the Insitute’s Work in the fields of Private Law and Agricultural Development.
Application should be sent by e-mail to jobs@unidroit.org no later than 17 June 2022. The selection shall be made by a committee of both internal and external members and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For any questions please contact: info@unidroit.org