Org. Setting and ReportingUNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centers of excellence. UNEP’s Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law and governance. Providing technical assistance and capacity building, advisory services, thought leadership and collective intelligence, the Law Division promotes the contribution of the environmental dimension of sustainable development through law, national and international governance and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) implementation. The Law Division also leads UNEP's role as secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). Montevideo Programme V is a ten-year intergovernmental programme adopted by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) at its fourth meeting in March 2019. The Programme promotes environmental rule of law and aims to strengthen related capacities in countries, while contributing to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The programme formally commenced in January 2020 and is a flagship initiative of the Law Division. UNEP’s Law Division works in close partnership and collaboration with all UNEP Divisions and Regional Offices to advance the implementation of UNEP’s environmental governance work as a foundation for the delivery of its medium-term strategy (MTS) 2026-2029 and programme of work. In partnership with UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, the Law Division also administers programmes of legal technical assistance and capacity building related to sustainability and circularity, including in the textile value chains. This position is located in UNEP’s, Law Division, Environmental Governance section in the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director and the direct supervision of the Head of the Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: ResponsibilitiesTechnical assistance and capacity building implementation and support • Administers programmes of legal technical and capacity building support initiatives in the area of environmental law governance under the Montevideo Programme and in relation to sustainability and circularity. This includes assistance in developing project proposals and undertaking resource mobilization to advance the implementation of intergovernmental bodies’ decisions and recommendations in collaboration with UNEP substantive Divisions. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other public and private entities. Advisory services and thought leadership • Handles a range of issues related to environmental law and governance, constitutional, international, public, administrative, law including the interpretation and application of MEAs at national level, synergies across MEAs, constitutive, legislative and other instruments governing United Nations activities and operations as they relate to UNEP, in consultation with senior Legal Officers as well as other emerging issues, including circularity across value chains, in consultation with other colleagues across UNEP. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of environmental law and international law. • Prepares or assists with the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public law issues and environmental law including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions decisions and interpretation and application of the MEAs, involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings with United Nations organs, constitutional and administrative law of the Organization as applicable to UNEP. • Prepares or assists with the preparation of environmental law seminars and symposia, lectures on various legal issues at such events. • Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing intergovernmental meetings, negotiations, and conferences, committees, expert groups and other bodies such as the UNEA, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations and meeting reports. • Provides legal advice on administrative matters. Research and analysis support • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence in the field of environmental law and governance, including circularity across value chains. • Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies major important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Provides guidance to more junior staff. • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology in the field of environmental law and governance for review, examination, and processing of a range of documents. Knowledge of various legal and policy research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal and governance issues. Knowledge of legal principles, procedures and solutions to pollution value chain, including textiles. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft governance papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international environmental law, or a related field with environmental law coursework is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programmes in data analytics, business analytics or data science programmes is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law, or environmental governance issues, including legal analysis, research, writing or negotiation in an international or multicultural setting is required. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in project or programme management in relation to environmental governance, environmental law, sustainable development, or other related area is required. Experience in technical assistance and capacity building in environmental law is required. Experience working in professional legal work relating to procedural or institutional matters of intergovernmental bodies is required. Experience related to the sustainability and circularity of value chains is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years of experience within the United Nations common system, an international organization, or an intergovernmental organization is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Spanish or French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
This vacancy is archived.