Legal Specialist

The International individual contractor will support the pollution-related work of the UNEP Law Division’s in particular related to chemicals. The international individual contractor, under the supervision of the Head of the Pollution Section or his/her designated representative, will carry out the activities as per the ToR.

Nairobi-Based

12 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 responsible for carrying out UNEP's functions in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including matters relating to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the Law Division works to promote the progressive development of environmental law, support States in developing and implementing legal, institutional, and policy frameworks to address environmental challenges, facilitate cooperation and coordination among MEAs, support Parties in implementing treaty obligations, and foster policy dialogue on international environmental law and governance. UNEP has been working to create enabling conditions that accelerate the transition towards circular and sustainable economies and contribute to the prevention and reduction of pollution. In this context, the development and implementation of effective legal, policy, and institutional frameworks are critical to achieving a just and sustainable transition. The Pollution Section of the Law Division works closely with UNEP's Industry and Economy Division to support legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms in priority sectors, including chemicals and waste, plastics, textiles, and minerals. The Section also contributes to the implementation of relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and provides legal support on pollution-related matters. The Pollution Section seeks to engage an international individual contractor to support its legal and policy work on pollution-related issues, with a particular focus on chemicals and waste management. The international individual contractor will contribute to the Section's efforts to provide technical legal assistance and capacity-building support to developing countries and countries with economies in transition undertaking policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms. This work will support, inter alia, the implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC), adopted by the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management in September 2023, and advance broader efforts to promote sustainable and sound chemicals and waste management throughout their lifecycle. 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 individual contractor will undertake the following tasks, with a primary focus on the chemicals sector and, where required, support for other sectoral areas of the Section, including but not limited to extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, mineral governance, textiles, and plastics: (a) Support the work of the Pollution Section through legal research, analysis, and the preparation of recommendations and legal options to support effective and sustainable policy and regulatory outcomes. (b) Support the development of knowledge products and tools related to technical legal assistance and capacity-building activities. (c) Assist in providing legal and technical support for the development and strengthening of policies, laws, regulations, and related legal frameworks in targeted developing countries. (d) Assist in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and coordination activities, as required. (e) Support the preparation and formulation of project concepts and proposals, including legal and policy analyses and drafting inputs. (f) Assist the development and delivery of training programmes for policymakers and other stakeholders on international best practices, legislative approaches, and regulatory measures. (g) Undertake basic and in-depth reviews of legal documents, instruments, policies, legislation, and other materials related to environmental law, with a particular focus on pollution-related legal issues. (h) Prepare, or assist in the preparation of, presentations, background papers, briefing notes, reports, correspondence, and other written materials on environmental law matters, with a particular focus on pollution-related legal issues. (i) Collect, organize and analyse legal, policy and programme-related information, identify emerging trends and prepare analytical reports, presentations and data visualizations to support decision-making and reporting.

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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required. Prior experience working on international and/or national environmental law relating to pollution issues is required. Excellent research and analytical skills, in particular in legal analysis, and expertise in independent research and review is required. Excellent writing and communications skills is required. Prior experience working with the UN or similar international organizations is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French or another official UN language is an asset.

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.