UNEP Legal Officer Jobs in Kenya
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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 Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law and environmental governance. The Law Division promotes the contribution of environmental dimension of sustainable development through law, national and international governance and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
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 at its fourth meeting in March 2019.
The Programme will promote the environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacities in countries, and contribute 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.
The position will be part of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (Unit) within the Environmental Rule of Law Branch, Law Division. This position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Law Division at UNEP’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The Legal Officer will report to the Head of Unit and will be responsible for the following:
Responsibilities
Research and Analysis
Handles a range of issues related to environmental (substantive, procedural and comparative) law, including the interpretation and application of MEAs at the national level, in consultation with Senior Legal Officers.
Conducts extensive legal research and analysis in the field of environmental law, and prepares studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
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 international environmental law.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international environmental law issues, including the interpretation and application of MEAs, and the United Nations Environment Assembly resolutions and decisions.
Operations, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building
Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, for the carrying out of activities under the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme.
Reviews, advises on and drafts legal opinions and briefs.
Assesses information submitted by Member States relating to support on environmental law.
Prepares legal summaries and recommendations on technical assistance and capacity building in the area of environmental rule of law.
Administers programmes of legal technical assistance, notably under the Law and Environment Assistance Platform (LEAP), and capacity building for different enforcement networks, including judiciary and customs.
Prepares or assists with the preparation of international environmental law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
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.
Intergovernmental Bodies
Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology in the field of environmental law for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, preferably in environmental law or international environmental law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing is required.
Two (2) years of experience serving with a legal office of a government department or ministry or of a secretariat of an international organization, is required.
Experience in professional legal work relating to procedural and institutional issues of intergovernmental bodies is desirable.
Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UNEP Legal Officer Jobs in Kenya
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