Associate Legal Officer

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the 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 centres of excellence.

Organizational Context & Project Description:

The UNV volunteer will work for the Legal Unit, in UNEP’s Corporate Services Division. The UNV will provide legal support, advice and opinion in a variety of issues of international, public, private, administrative and environmental law and other matters requiring legal input, including interpretation and application of instruments. The UNV contributes to other UNEP and legal corporate activities within his/her field of expertise. 

Under the direct supervision of Senior Legal Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1.Provision of legal support to UNEP through the Legal Unit

i.Serve as Associate Legal Officer supporting the provision of corporate legal advice to UNEP through the Corporate Services Division/Legal Unit, and contribute to the work of the Corporate Services Division / Legal Unit providing the necessary assistance, as required;
ii.Review and draft legal instruments and other agreements and amendments, and when deviations from UN/UNEP templates are requested by counterparts provide legal advice with regard to those instruments including agreements with implementing partners;
iii.Support the review of the due diligence process of potential partners, both non-for profit and for profit entities;
iv.Support Corporate Services Division’s work on audit processes by oversight bodies, including the review of recommendations and their implementation;
v.Support the work of the focal point for the Legal Unit on the UNEP Intranet page (WeCollaborate); and other content management systems for online platforms that contribute towards information and knowledge management;
vi.Assist in handling Legal Unit’s Case Management and workflow system.

2.Support the development and/or revision of legal template instruments and conduct legal research

i.In coordination with relevant offices, support the development of new and/or review of existing legal agreements templates;
ii.In coordination with relevant offices, support the revision of UNEP policies and their implementation, and the drafting of summaries and/or briefing notes relating to policy matters;
iii.Support the Legal Unit’s by the preparation of a compendium of core legal advice delivered by the Legal Unit with a view to ensure consistency for the benefit of UNEP;
iv.Under the guidance of legal officers, conduct research on legal issues pertaining – inter alia – to general international law, international organisation, privileges and immunities, multilateral environmental agreements etc. and draft legal notes and memos for the use of the Legal Unit.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

i. Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
ii. Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
iii. Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
iv. Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
v.Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
vi. Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

i. Facilitates sound legal services and representation, and, in accordance with applicable legal policies, rules and practices, protects the interests and minimizes liabilities of the Organization.
ii. Provides independent, accurate and comprehensive research and notes.
iii. Contributes to carefully conceived studies, recommendations, as well as well-written legal and other documents (agreements, notes, memos, reports, etc.).
iv. Contributes to successful negotiation and resolution of problems/issues.
v. Improves efficiency in interactions with all parties involved in any of the legal activities being performed.
vi.The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
vii. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed