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. This position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Law Division, at UNEP’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 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 fulfill 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 incumbent will report to the Head of the International Environmental Law Unit and will be responsible for the following duties:
(i) Conduct extensive legal research and analysis on environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment, including illegal trade in wild species and their products;
(ii) Review and analyse existing definitions and approaches to address environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment, and to strengthen the environmental rule of law;
(iii) Review and analyse national legislation, national courts’ decisions and recent studies on environmental crime as well as international legal frameworks to achieve sustainable development in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
(iv) Review and analyse the role of institutions, strategies, mechanisms at the national level to implement international environmental law and combat environmental crime;
(v) Support the organisation of capacity-building workshops and training for government officials, prosecutors, magistrates, judges, etc. including by preparing documents and workshop reports;
(vi) Contribute to the preparation of meetings related to international environmental law by drafting background documents, meeting reports, and monitoring meeting outcomes;
(vii) Provide legal input and support the activities related to the Programme for the Development and Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme) and the resolutions of the United Nations Environment Assembly related to international environmental law, especially for activities related to environmental crime;
(viii) Contribute to the preparation of briefs, legal opinions/advice and reports on international environmental law issues, and especially on issues related to environmental crime and other environmental violations;
(ix) Assist to undertake research and develop content and relevant information to strengthen the capacity of relevant parties to strengthen the environmental rule of law and combat environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment;
(x) Assist with reporting requirements for projects in the Project Information Management System (PIMS), the Integrated Management and Documentation information System (IMDIS) and any other donors’ systems;
(xi) Perform other duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures relating to environmental law and mechanisms of international cooperation; 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.
COMMUNICATION: Capacity to speak and write 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.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international environmental law or criminal law is required. A first-level degree in the before mentioned fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.
A minimum of two years of progressive work experience in law, environmental law or criminal law is required.
Experience working in the United Nations or other Inter-Governmental Organization on environmental legal issues is highly desirable.
English and French are the working knowledge of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN
language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
This position is temporarily available for a duration of five months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a
temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no
bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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