Job Title: Legal Officer
Hiring Organization: United Nations Environment Programme
Location – Locality: Nairobi
Location – Region: Kenya
Industry: Environmental
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: KES
Date Posted: 06/12/2024
The
United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global
environmental authority that sets the world’s 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 environment.
Responsibilities
Handles a
range of issues related to environmental law, (substantive, procedural and
comparative), focusing on pollution-related legal issues including those
connected with UNEP’s One Plastics Initiative, UNEP’s One Textiles Initiative,
and UNEP’s work on minerals governance.
Conducts extensive legal research and analysis 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 and national environmental law issues.
Prepares
or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments,
NGOs and other public and private entities.
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.
Provides
legal advice on the interpretation and application of national and
international environmental law.
Administers
programmes of legal technical assistance.
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.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, international environmental law principles,
concepts and procedures and terminology 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. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments,
develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and
concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to
apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. The ability to
analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting
information to management. 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.
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,
environmental law, human rights, or related fields is required.
A
first-level university degree in law 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 desirable.
Work
Experience
A minimum
of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including
legal analysis, research and writing is required.
Experience
working on international and/or national environmental law relating to
pollution issues is desirable.
Experience
working in the UN or similar international organisations is desirable.
A minimum
of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is
desirable.
