Associate Legal Officer

Volunteering Legal

Overview

Support UNEP in implementing the Montevideo Programme V and enhance environmental law activities.

You have:

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance.
• Progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance, including legal analysis, research and writing.
• Prior work experience at the international level is desired.
• Prior work experience with communications is desired.

Contract

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The Law Division leads UNEP’s role as Secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). The Montevideo Programme V is ten-year intergovernmental programme adopted by the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth meeting in March 2019. The Montevideo Programme V promotes the environmental rule of law, strengthens the related capacities in countries, and contributes to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The programme formally commenced in January 2020 and is a flagship initiative of the Law Division.

The UNV is required to support the work of UNEP in successfully implementing the Montevideo Programme V. There is a significant amount of work needed to fulfil UNEP’s functions as Secretariat, including it raising its visibility and profile, as well as in undertaking and supporting the substantive environmental law activities required to be implemented under the programme, and the associated reporting, at the request of Member States. The UNV would play an important role in supporting these functions.

Under the direct supervision of the Special Assistant of the Law Division, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in performing United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s roles and functions as Secretariat under Montevideo Programme V, including servicing meetings, preparing background documents, and drafting meeting reports; • Conduct legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in environmental law under Montevideo Programme V, including but not limited to environmental rule of law, human rights and the environment, and emerging issues such as rights of nature and environmental crime; • Assist in reviewing legal documents, instruments, or other material on environmental law and related areas under Montevideo Programme V; • Support the Special Assistant in providing effective administrative services to implement the Division's mandate and functions, including enhancing the Law Division’s digital and knowledge platforms; • Support the communications needs of the Law Division, including updating and enhancing UNEP’s website, InforMEA, and UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP-LEAP), and assist in the Division’s reporting needs; • Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and external publications and actively participating in UNV activities (for instance, events marking International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles or write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Communication • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance. • Progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance, including legal analysis, research and writing. • Prior work experience at the international level is desired. • Prior work experience with communications is desired.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring 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.

The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KES) which is a convertible currency. The use of credit cards to pay for purchases and services in major facilities is fairly common. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) banking services are situated at major centres across the city. ATMs services are also available on the UN compound. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the main airport in Kenya and serves as a regional hub for many global airlines. JKIA is 15 Kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district and 25 Kilometres from the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri. It is UNVs’ responsibility to obtain visas for Kenya. A valid passport, not expiring for at least six months from date of departure is required for an entry visa into Kenya. Public health

Malaria: Nairobi is generally malaria-free, but it is still recommended to consult your doctor about all malarial prophylaxis if travelling into Kenya and beyond Nairobi, especially if going to the Kenya coast and Lake Victoria region. Adequate safeguards against mosquito bites are recommended, such as insect repellents, bed nets, long trousers, and long-sleeved clothing covering all arms. Diarrhoeal Diseases: In Kenya, food poisoning and infection from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, are common - depending on the hygiene standards of the places you visit for food. It is advisable to avoid raw foods, while fruits and vegetables that must be peeled and cleaned properly. Drinking water directly from the municipal taps is not advisable. Please ask for treated bottled water from a certified company with a secured seal.

General Security precautions Nairobi is a beautiful city with a large expatriate community and modern amenities where people can move around freely in a relatively safe manner. However, it is advisable to take necessary precautions and exercise common sense in light of certain security concerns. It is also advisable to be vigilant especially in Nairobi where petty crimes like phone and handheld property snatching, theft of valuables, including from in vehicles, are not uncommon. You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.”

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org