Associate Legal Officer

Volunteering Legal Communications & PR

Overview

Provide legal support and advice for UNEP's legal unit

You have:

• Knowledge of legal principles, concepts and applicable legal procedures.
• Experience in drafting and reviewing legal instruments and agreements.
• Ability to conduct independent legal research and analysis.
• Experience in using Office 365 products.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Understanding of public international law and related issues.
• Familiarity with auditing processes and recommendations.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The UNV volunteer will work for the Legal Unit, in UNEP’s Corporate Services Division. The UNV will provide legal support, advice and opinion in a variety of issues of international, public, private, and administrative law and other matters requiring legal input, including interpretation and application of instruments. The UNV contributes to other UNEP and legal corporate activities within his/her field of expertise.

Under the direct supervision Senior Legal Officer, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Provision of legal support to UNEP through the Legal Unit i. Serve as Associate Legal Officer supporting the provision of corporate legal advice to UNEP through the Corporate Services Division/Legal Unit, and contribute to the work of the Corporate Services Division / Legal Unit providing the necessary assistance, as required; ii. Review and draft legal instruments and other agreements and amendments, and when deviations from UN/UNEP templates are requested by counterparts provide legal advice with regard to those instruments including agreements with implementing partners; iii. Support the review of the due diligence process of potential partners, both non-for profit and for profit entities; iv. Support Corporate Services Division’s work on audit processes by oversight bodies, including the review of recommendations and their implementation; v. Support the work of the focal point for the Legal Unit on the UNEP Intranet page (WeCollaborate); and other content management systems for online platforms that contribute towards information and knowledge management; vi. Assist in handling Legal Unit’s Case Management and workflow system.

2. Support the development and/or revision of legal template instruments and conduct legal research i. In coordination with relevant offices, support the development of new and/or review of existing legal agreements templates; ii. In coordination with relevant offices, support the revision of UNEP policies and their implementation, and the drafting of summaries and/or briefing notes relating to policy matters; iii. Support the Legal Unit’s by the preparation of a compendium of core legal advice delivered by the Legal Unit with a view to ensure consistency for the benefit of UNEP; iv. Under the guidance of legal officers, conduct research on legal issues pertaining – inter alia – to general international law, international organisation, privileges and immunities, multilateral environmental agreements etc. and draft legal notes and memos for the use of the Legal Unit.

3. Assistance in other professional duties as required by the exigency of service

Results/Expected Output:

• Facilitates sound legal services and representation, and, in accordance with applicable legal policies, rules and practices, protects the interests and minimizes liabilities of the Organization. • Provides independent, accurate and comprehensive research and notes. • Contributes to carefully conceived studies, recommendations, as well as well-written legal and other documents (agreements, notes, memos, reports, etc.). • Contributes to successful negotiation and resolution of problems/issues. • Improves efficiency in interactions with all parties involved in any of the legal activities being performed.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal 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. 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. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational 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. • 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.

corporate law, including the drafting and review of legal instruments, exposure to the practice and interpretation of public international law, to partnerships with public/private sector actors, legal analysis, research and writing. Experience in working with Office 365 products e.g. SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint is required. Experience in the use of Power BI for analyzing and visualizing raw data to present actionable information is desirable.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General in Kenya. The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Counties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an average rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO).

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP. The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

Kenya is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org