Access Rights and Environmental Justice Consultant

Result of Service Work Assignments:

Under supervision of the UNEP Asia and the Pacific’s Regional Environmental Governance Sub programme Coordinator, the consultant will deliver the following work assignments: regional rights-based framework to environmental decision making I. Provide technical support to AICHR for preparation of a regional rights-based framework to environmental decision making. II. Support establishment of environmental law clinic to increase access to justice in environmental matters.

Outputs:

1. Provide technical support to AICHR to advance a rights based framework for EIA in ASEAN through the review and revision of the concept note for working group meeting, Facilitate working group with AICHR to prepare a workplan for preparation of regional rights-based framework to environmental decision making and develop workplan document 2. Support establishment of environmental law clinic to increase access to justice in environmental matters: Prepare agenda and concept note for inception workshop on environmental law clinic, facilitate inception workshop and support preparation of operating principles for law clinic

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 1 January 2022 - 31 May 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (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.

UNEP’s Asia and the Pacific Office geographically serves 41 countries across the region to promote and implement sustainable development solutions. It assists countries of the region pursue sustainability, particularly in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including technical expertise, facilitating access to finance, undertaking cutting-edge science-policy assessments, offering advisory services and strengthening laws, policies, management and governance. UNEP works with national and local authorities, civil society, other UN organizations, research institutions and the private sector to catalyze the efficient use of the region’s natural assets and reduce the degradation of the environment.

The Law Division leads the development and implementation of the UNEP Environmental Governance subprogramme, which includes the promotion of streamlined and coherent environmental governance at the international level, the promotion of progressive development and implementation of environmental law, support to international environmental agreements (known as multilateral environmental agreements – MEAs), and promotion of mainstreaming of environmental objectives in the development sector.

The activities of the International Environmental Law Unit in the Law Division are founded on the mission of UNEP to provide leadership and advice on matters related to international environmental law to Governments and other stakeholders. The Unit is responsible for the progressive development of international environmental law and the promotion of environmental rule of law across the UN system. The Unit implements decisions from UNEP’s Governing Body – the United Nations Environment Assembly - where it is responsible and provides legal advice to programmes and activities of UNEP’s other substantive Divisions in the area of international environmental law. In addition, the National Environmental Law Unit of the Law Division focuses on the provision of technical support to countries to develop/ strengthen and implement environmental law, and to build capacity of various stakeholders and institutions with respect to the development and implementation of, compliance with, and enforcement of, environmental law, including commitments set out in MEAs.

UNEP has been working on human rights and the environment for almost two decades and engages with members States and other actors to promote, protect and respect environmental rights under the Environmental Rights Initiative. In this role UNEP supported regional negotiations on a Latin American and Caribbean Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental matters instrument until its adoption in San Jose, Costa Rica, on 4 March 2018.

1) Access to Information, Public Participation and Environmental Justice and rights-based framework for EIA in ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter commits the ASEAN community to “ensure sustainable development for the benefits of present and future generations and to place the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples at the center of the ASEAN community building process”. The move towards an ASEAN Economic Community brings specific challenges to ensure the goal of sustainable development can be met. Effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (TbEIA) are important tools to achieve this goal.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has now conducted five workshops examining the implementation of human rights obligations relating to the environment and climate change. As part of these workshops, AICHR has led the way in examining options for the greater implementation of a rights-based approach in environmental decision-making. AICHR has conducted workshops in 2014, September 2015, and October 2017, October 2019 and most recently in June 2021.

At the conclusion of the June 2021 workshop, AICHR committed to working towards a regional rights-based framework to environmental decision making.

UNEP is continuing to support AICHR and work with UN partners, including ESCAP and OHCHR, to advance a rights based approach to EIA and, in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat, to enhance access to information, public participation and environmental justice in the ASEAN Community.

UNEP wishes to engage the services of a consultant to: - Continue to support AICHR to develop a regional rights-based framework to environmental decision making. - Increase access to justice in environmental matters through establishment of environmental law clinic

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Excellent writing and communications skills. - Excellent research and analytical skills - Results focused. - Clear and concise communication. - Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner, good networking and good inter personal skills

Academic Qualifications: A first level law degree from a university or institution of equivalent status with specialization in environmental related field, including natural resources management, environmental assessment, environmental policy, or law

Experience: - A minimum of ten years of experience with environmental law and governance. - Four years of experience and knowledge of environmental law and governance in ASEAN Member States. - Prior experience developing project proposals for UNEP and other UN and multilateral agencies - Experience in designing and delivering large conference/event covering diverse participants and stakeholders in the area of economic and social development, and /or environment and plastic pollution. - Working experience in engaging and effective communications with diverse organizations and audiences interacting and coordinating large networks/groups

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.