Chemicals Legal Specialist

The consultant will support UNEP Law Division’s work on chemicals and waste, in particular related to the GFC. The consultant, under the supervision of the Head of the Pollution Section or his/her designated representative, will carry out the activities as per the ToR.

Home-Based

6 Months

Background: 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. The UNEP Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the work of the Law Division focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive development of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance. The Pollution Section of the Law Division provides legal expertise on international environmental law and emerging legal issues in the chemicals and pollution thematic area. The Section works closely with UNEP's Industry and Economy Division to support legislative and institutional reforms in priority sectors, including plastics, textiles, chemicals, and minerals. It also contributes to the implementation of decisions and resolutions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and provides legal support on related matters. The Global Framework on Chemicals - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC), adopted in September 2023, seeks to protect both the planet and human health, advocating for strong governance mechanisms and enforcing international standards. It is a comprehensive plan with five strategic objectives and 28 targets to guide countries and stakeholders in jointly addressing the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste. UNEP supports developing countries with emerging economies in their efforts to transition to effective, safe and sustainable chemicals and waste management systems, through policy and regulatory reforms and institutional strengthening, in line with the GFC. To that end, UNEP Law Division wishes to engage the services of a consultant to support the work of the Law Division and the Industry and Economy Division in that regard. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the Head of the Pollution Section or his/her designated representative and in close consultation with the Industry and Economy Division, the consultant is expected to handle a range of chemicals- and waste-related legal issues, specifically aimed at supporting the implementation of the GFC through robust policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The work is intended to advance and validate regulatory approaches to chemicals by promoting the piloting of Guidance developed by UNEP on “leapfrogging” approaches for low- and middle-income countries on regulating chemicals, with a view to promoting green and sustainable chemistry, through innovative policy and legal approaches that include social & economic dimensions, business opportunities and job creation. Specifically, the consultant is expected to: (a) Support UNEP to identify and select at least three pilot countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region for the implementation and testing of the proposed “leapfrogging” elements; (b) Conduct a mapping and assessment of the regulatory, legal, and institutional frameworks around chemicals in each selected country, and prepare a gap analysis report for each country; (c) Develop a reform action plan for each selected country, based on the findings and recommendations of the corresponding gap analysis report; (d) Present the gap analysis reports and reform action plans to government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders in the target countries, as required; (e) Draft legal provisions and related legislative recommendations to address priority gaps identified through the country gap analyses and support the implementation of reform action plans for the sound management of chemicals and waste. Deliverables would be in Spanish or English, depending on the target country.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental law, international law, human rights or a related field. A first-level university degree in law in combination with 2 additional qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of working experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, with at least five (5) years of experience with a focus on legislation relating to chemicals and waste is required. Prior experience working on international and/or national environmental law relating to chemicals and waste issues is desirable. Prior experience working with the UN or similar international organizations is desirable. Excellent writing and communications skills is required. Excellent research and analytical skills, in particular in legal analysis, and expertise in independent research and review is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.