National Consultant Environmental Law Expert (Lao Pdr) at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

• The consultant will undertake the following activities under the SAFE project to support the review of Lao PDR's existing regulations, policies and strategies: 1. Collect through desk research and interviews of key stakeholders as needed and analyze information on laws, regulations and policies in Lao PDR, pertaining to wildlife related areas of husbandry, markets, hygiene, trade, medicinal uses and consumption of wildlife products relevant to licencing and management of wildlife facilities;
• Conduct, on the basis of the collected information and analysis, a legal and policy review pertaining to all areas mentioned under paragraph 1 above, including best practices and recommendations on national guidelines for the management of wildlife facilities;
• Prepare and organize two series of consultations with experts and stakeholders (including feedback sessions with UNEP and other project implementing partners) to present, review and finalize the legal and policy review and recommendations on national guidelines for the management of wildlife facilities, which relate to and are relevant for Lao PDR, including the preparation of the agenda, the proposed list of experts and identified stakeholders and participants, questionnaires, presentations, post consultation reports, and any material relating to the consultations;
• Provide drafts and finalize the legal and policy review and recommendations on national guidelines for the management of wildlife facilities mentioned above;
• Provide regular and updated information on translation of legal and policy documents in Lao PDR and contribute to activities under the SAFE project which require legal and policy inputs on the licensing and management of wildlife facilities and other related topics;
• Collaboration with UNEP, UNODC and stakeholders involved, provide regular updates on the progress of the activities to UNEP.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: -

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Lao PDR law, specializing in environmental law/policy, environmental crime, comparative law, or other relevant qualifications (required). A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: -

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environmental law/policy in Lao PDR is required. Experience in research and analytical report writing on legal and policy approaches to address environmental crimes (including wildlife crimes) is desirable.

Language: -

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written Lao and English is required.