Senior Legal Officer, P5 at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative advice and information on the interpretation and implementation of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the decisions of the governing bodies of these treaties (the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol) and the recommendations of related subsidiary bodies, including on matters related to compliance with treaty provisions;
• Supervise the monitoring and facilitation of implementation and compliance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, including the coordination of Secretariat support to the Implementation Committee under the Non-Compliance Procedure for the Montreal Protocol;
• Service diplomatic conferences, expert groups and other bodies, including through providing sound legal and procedural advice and the drafting of background documents such as recommendations for action of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention and Meetings of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, the Bureaux of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, the Implementation Committee under the Non-Compliance Procedure for the Montreal Protocol, the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, and any groups created under them;
• Provide advice to parties to the Montreal Protocol on developing national legislation and relevant policies to fulfil their obligations under the Montreal Protocol, e.g., on the establishment and implementation of licensing systems for the import and export of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol, including the Kigali Amendment and any other amendments that may be adopted in the future;
• Contribute to the review and development of international environmental law and promotion of ozone protection under the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol through the preparation of briefs, reports and correspondence with governments, relevant international and regional organizations and bodies;
• Serve on various UNEP committees, as required, to strengthen cooperation and exchange of information, as well as promote the work of the Ozone Secretariat and represent the Secretariat at senior expert level at internal UNEP and international meetings, conferences, seminars.
• Participate in the planning, co-ordination and management of the Ozone Secretariat.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of international law or international environmental law. Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex legal issues and problems, anticipating emerging issues, and in developing legally sound and practical solutions to these. Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature; proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents. Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise including to sensitive and complex legal issues. Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects. Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships. 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.
• PLANNING AND 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• MANAGING PERFOMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• An advanced university degree in law with specialization in international law or international environmental law or a related field is required.
• A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing is required.
• At least five (5) years of experience at the international level dealing with legal issues relating to the implementation of treaties is required.
• At least two (2) years of professional legal experience working in the legal office of a Government department of ministry or of the secretariat of the United Nations, a specialized agency of the UN or a related intergovernmental organization is desirable.
• Experience in leading and managing a multicultural team is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.