Legal Officer - Temporary Jop Opening (TJO) at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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.